The Toastmasters Podcast

[14:00] Andy Weissmann, ACB, ALB, competed on the American TV game show Wheel of Fortune, in which individuals vie for prizes by solving word puzzles. Andy talks about the show’s application process, what the taping was like, and how he did. He also discusses how Toastmasters helped prepare him for the spotlight.

[21:30] Caren S. Neile, Ph. D., ATMS, explores differences between men's and women's communication styles. Being aware of the differences is beneficial for men and women, because they can employ the best of both styles, adapting their speech patterns to specific situations and audiences.

[24:50] Ruth Nasrullah, ACB, ALB, shares information about eye contact and expressive body language. She provides tips on how to communicate effectively with your eyes, and explains the differing cultural attitudes regarding the issue of eye contact.

[24:50] As the world changes, Toastmasters International is changing with it. That means offering more and better opportunities to grow and learn. Toward that end, the organization has exciting news to share: After much thought, research and analysis, Toastmasters is revitalizing its education program. The new program, which is expected to debut in the second half of 2014, is one of the most signi...

[22:30] Looking for good speaking opportunities? Many such opportunities exist at college alumni events. Jennifer Cunningham, an expert on the topic, says alumni officials are often looking for speakers to share their insights and professional knowledge with recent college graduates. Cunningham is Cornell University's Senior Director of Metrics and Marketing in the Office of Alumni Affairs, which...

[42:25] Entrepreneur Sam Davidson; humorist and raconteur Conor Cunneen, DTM, AS; CEO and former Major League Baseball player Kent Maggard; 2013 Keynote Speaker Roger Love, one of the world’s leading authorities on voice and a voice coach for the stars of the mega-hit television show Glee; and Ed Tate, CSP and 2000 World Champion of Public Speaking, offer a sneak preview of the presentations they...

[26:40] Matt Abrahams, author of the book Speaking Up Without Freaking Out and a presenter on speaking anxiety at the 2012 International Convention, discusses his recent article on the topic in the March issue of the Toastmaster magazine. In it, he answers the most common questions asked by attendees of his convention session. To learn more, visit Matt's websites, BoldEcho.com and NoFreakingSpeaki...

[25:50] Join Bo and Ryan as they share their journeys to achieving Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) status. Bo completed all his speeches in just six months, and Ryan is still on his journey more than 10 years after he began. Is one path better than the other? What are the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches? How is completing all speeches for DTM in six months even possible?

[20:00] Susan Cain, author of the New York Times best-selling book " Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking ," shares important and sometimes surprising insights about the differences between introverts and extroverts, and how introverts can be powerful leaders and communicators. Cain, a popular speaker at TED2012, was profiled in the December issue of the Toastmaster ma...

[25:04] John Lau, DTM , of Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, was elected Toastmasters’ 2012-2013 International President at the 2012 International Convention in Orlando, Florida. John is the chief executive and owner of the Acme Group of Companies, a management consultancy. He is also a Sarawak State Chairman of the People’s Progressive Party of Malaysia, a component party of the Malaysian f...

[15:30] Go on location to the 2012 International Speech Contest at the International Convention in Orlando, Florida! Listen in as International President John Lau, DTM, introduces the contest winners. Hear a post-contest interview with the new World Champion of Public Speaking, Ryan Avery of Portland, Oregon. (The 25-year-old is the youngest winner in the competition’s history.) And, in a Toastmas...

[12:10] Join Bo and Ryan as they spend the morning in an elevator talking to Toastmasters. What better place to discuss the art of elevator speeches? On that note, what would you say if a fellow elevator rider asked you, "What's the one piece of advice you would give your fellow Toastmasters on communication and/or leadership?"

[41:50] Career Coach Lisa Panarello, CC; Speechwriter and Communications Strategist Pete Weissman, CTM, CL; 2012 Keynote Speaker Joel Manby, president and chief executive officer of Herschend Family Entertainment;  and 2012 Golden Gavel recipient John C. Maxwell, an internationally renowned leadership expert, best-selling author and celebrated motivational speaker; offer a sneak preview of th...

[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 strateg...

[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 reside...

[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 effor...