Yoodli –  Your AI-Powered Public Speaking Coach

While I may sound old-school, but when it comes to improving our public speaking and literally any form of communication, there’s really nothing like doing it face to face. For me, as those who know me know, I credit the Toastmasters program and those weekly in-person meetings for truly helping to make a difference. Meetings over Zoom has also been helpful for when those face-to-face meetings were not possible. But with technology having come along way, there’s a new kid on the block that can help add value to all of the above. It’s called Yoodli: Your AI Public Speaking Coach. And in a recent podcast episode, I was able to sit down and speak with Yoodli co-founder Varun Puri.

[Read more…]

Celebrating Milestones Forward Can Yield Amazing Results 

Milestones – whether business, community or personal are achieved and celebrated all the time. They’re also recognized in a variety of different ways. However, if you really look at many of these celebrations, I thought, they’re often backward looking – i.e., going back to where things started to where they are now.

Predictable.

Then, I had an epiphany. What if you commemorated by purposefully celebrating forward? What if you used that milestone as a way of encouraging a future activity?

[Read more…]

Podcasting 101: Hosting & Interview Techniques – Replay

When I first started podcasting 15 years ago, the most frequently asked question was, ‘What’s a Podcast?” Five years ago, It was, “Why are you doing podcasts? It’s going the way of the radio, video is where it’s at. Today I’m often asked, “What are the benefits of podcasting?” And “How can I get involved? How do I get started?”

[Read more…]

Virtual Interview Mistakes to Avoid He Learned Interviewing Zoom’s Head Recruiter – John Bowe

I recently had an opportunity to interview John Bowe whom I recently met through the 2020 Toastmasters International Virtual Convention. A few weeks ago, my co-host Ryan Levesque and I interviewed John for the Toastmasters Podcast. Subsequently I came across and article he had written for CNBC that resonated with me, so I thought, why not chat with John again about this relevant topic for my ToastCaster Podcast.

You can find both the narrative and the podcast below:

[Read more…]

Mastering your virtual meeting presence

Top 3 pro tips for upping your game  

Wearing a headset can reduce background noise and feedback

The right stage presence can make or break any performance regardless of whatever words may be coming out of your mouth.  But as the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the world into lockdown moving our world on-line, many new “off-stage” rules apply, particularly in the widely accepted world of Zoom or maybe Microsoft Teams and the latest Google Meet.

[Read more…]

Toastmasters Accredited Speaker (AS) Related Podcasts

Courtesy Toastmasters International

“The Accredited Speaker Program recognizes those Toastmasters members who have achieved a level of proficiency that enables them to be paid, professional speakers. Being an Accredited Speaker gives you a competitive edge and sets you apart from other professional speakers. That’s because your talent and ability have been recognized by Toastmasters International, a world leader in communication and leadership development. (Courtesy Bob-Hooey)

AS Related Podcasts

Accredited Speaker related podcasts amongst many others can be found at:
ToastCaster Podcast– Toastcaster.com and
The Official Toastmasters Podcast – ToastmastersPodcast.com.

If you’re interested in listening to AS related podcasts specifically, you can download a PDF containing a list of 9 episodes with episode numbers and a brief description.

[Read more…]

3I-Racer Technique for More Engaging Storytelling – Jock Mackenzie

Jock_IMG_2920.jpgIt’s not often we get a school teacher or principal on the show but there are things we might have learned back in the day perhaps we’ve forgotten or can still learn and add our skills repertoire.

Our guest, Jock D. Mackenzie has those credentials and more with 30 years in the field mostly teaching Language Arts to Middle School and Upper Elementary, now semi-retired, he takes those skills on the road. Jock is a published author having written the book, Essay Writing: Teaching the Basics from the Ground Up (2007). He’s also a Toastmaster with the Sunrise Club in Red Deer, Alberta Canada.  MORE ABOUT THIS PODCAST:

[Read more…]

ToastCaster Podcast 103: Is Leadership for Me? – Mohammed Murad

 

 

 

 

 

It’s hard to watch the news without hearing about leadership in some form or another. Whether it’s in politics, business or even in the non-profit area, just to name a few.  In the latest ToastCaster Podcast, Episode 103, we take a page from a well recognized leader – Mohammed Murad.

Murad believes that at every step of your life at one time or another,  we need to ask ourselves, the thought provoking question, “Is leadership for me?” [Read more…]

Presentation Too Long? Build it Like LEGO – Toastcaster 95

FreddiD.jpgIt seems it’s always easier to make speeches and presentation longer but to actually get them to be just the right length takes more than just podcast.

In this podcast, Greg speaks with Freddi Dogterom DTM, AS from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada who offers up some serious lessons on crafting your speech or presentation. She also shares insights and practical takeaways on the perils, pain and passion of editing, in particular when timing is of the essence – one way, building your speech like LEGO.

Freddi is a Distinguished Toastmaster, Accredited Speaker (AS) and professional speaker for more than 20 years delivering keynotes, workshops, professional development and train the trainer sessions. She also has over 30 years experience helping people build their lives, careers and retirement futures.

Toastcaster 76 Being a Toastmasters District Social Media Manager – Glenda Sheard

[27:41] In this episode we speak with Glenda Sheard, DTM, Social Media Manager for District 99. While not an official Toastmasters position, her role is a critical component in attracting new members and engaging existing ones as this medium has gained widespread use. Glenda, a newly minted DTM enthusiastically shares how Social Media impacts districts and clubs and all Toastmasters, enlightening us on the importance of her role and how it works; how Districts can benefit from having a Social Media Manager and using Social Media along with some tips, tricks and examples how D99 uses these resources and how others can use them too.

Glenda Sheard DTM is a speaker, facilitator, presenter and fundraiser and lives in Sherwood Park, Alberta.

You can find more Toastcaster Podcasts at Toastcaster.com or iTunes.