In this engaging episode of D50 After Dark, host Mickey Bennett dives deep with past international director Monnica Rose on emotional intelligence (EQ). They explore how self-awareness of emotions can supercharge leadership, resolve conflicts, and boost team dynamics—without any scores involved! From real-life examples like mishandled dinner orders to Toastmasters projects, learn practical ways to level up your EQ for better communication and growth.Whether you're navigating corporate meetings, club conflicts, or personal growth, this episode reveals why EQ is key to avoiding blow-ups and fostering strong teams. Monica shares personal stories, like adapting communication with her millennial kid, and how HPL projects stretch your abilities. Tune in for actionable insights on journaling emotions, opening dialogues with "I feel" statements, and pushing beyond your first DTM for continuous improvement.Highlights:0:00 - Intro Teaser: Millennial Parenting Meets Leadership – 0:43 - Welcome and EQ Basics (Chapter 1: What is Emotional Intelligence?) – 2:14 - EQ in Everyday Scenarios (Chapter 2: From Dinner Disasters to Daily Reflections) –5:16 - EQ Beyond Conflicts (Chapter 3: Joy, Excitement, and Leadership Flow) 6:29 - EQ in Team Leadership (Chapter 4: Managing Disruptors and Low-Energy Days) 8:17 - Communication Techniques (Chapter 5: Timing Talks and Filtering Words) 10:51 - Developing Leaders with EQ (Chapter 6: From Conflicts to Candid Feedback) 14:38 - Self-Reflection Practices (Chapter 7: Journaling and Mental Registration) 16:52 - EQ in Toastmasters (Chapter 8: Pathways to Growth) 19:04 - Deep Dive on HPL (Chapter 9: Teams, Feedback, and Stretching Limits) – 21:43 - Multiple DTMs Worth It? (Chapter 10: Beyond the First Award) – 24:32 - Closing Thoughts (Chapter 11: Gratitude and Paying It Forward) – Subscribe and Listen to D50 After Dark Podcast https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/d50-after-dark-podcast

Level Up Your Career with Corporate Toastmasters Magic!

Unlock the secrets of Corporate Toastmasters Clubs in this inspiring episode of D50 After Dark! Host Mickey Bennett chats with Past International Director Monnica Rose about starting a club at work, enhancing leadership skills, and boosting employee morale. Learn how Toastmasters' Pathways program delivers massive ROI for companies through experiential learning, transferable skills, and real progression. Whether you're eyeing a corporate setup or something like a PMI club, get tips on chartering, liaisons, and pitching to bosses. Perfect for leaders and HR pros craving growth! Subscribe for more leadership insights, and drop your Toastmasters story in the comments below. #Toastmasters #CorporateClubs #LeadershipDevelopment

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Chapter Highlights & Video Markers:

0:00 - Teaser: How Your Boss Tracks Your Toastmasters Wins

0:38 - Episode Kickoff: Welcome & Why Corporate Clubs Rock

1:08 - Monnica's Journey: My Start in Corporate Toastmasters

2:03 - Are You One of These? 3 Types Ready to Launch a Club

3:29 - Real Wins: Chartering Clubs at McAfee, Blue Cross & GMAC

5:25 - Conquer Chartering Fears: Tips for Confident Starts

6:37 - Meet the Helpers: Sponsors & Corporate Liaisons Explained

8:55 - Grow Big: Building Liaisons in Your District

9:55 - Get Support Now: Connect with the Club Growth Team

10:36 - Company Perks: Why Toastmasters Boosts ROI & Skills

12:35 - Skill Up: Communication, Leadership & Workplace Progress

13:30 - Shout It Out: Achievement Letters to Your Manager

14:03 - Expand Horizons: Toastmasters in PMI, Churches & Beyond

15:52 - Double Win: Earn PDUs While Crushing Attendance

16:45 - Save Big: Cost-Effective Growth for Corporates

17:27 - Jump In: Become a Liaison or Start Training Today

18:44 - Wrap-Up: Key Takeaways & Tease on Emotional Intelligence

Catching Up with Gaurav Shekhar on D50 After Dark

Join host Mickey Bennett as he reconnects with Gaurav Shekhar, past District Director of Toastmasters District 50, to discuss his journey, leadership during the 2020 pandemic, and his role at UT Dallas.

Description: In this engaging episode of D50 After Dark, Mickey Bennett sits down with Gaurav Shekhar, a Toastmasters veteran and Senior Assistant Dean at UT Dallas. They dive into Gaurav’s experiences leading District 50 during the challenging 2020 pandemic, his passion for bridging academia and industry, and how Toastmasters shaped his career. Keywords: Toastmasters, leadership, public speaking, UT Dallas, business analytics, pandemic pivot, Gaurav Shekhar.

Highlights and Possible Viral Moments:

0:00-0:14: Gaurav reflects on the global pivot during the 2020 pandemic, a relatable moment for anyone who navigated that time (potential viral clip for its universal resonance).

1:48-2:37: Gaurav shares his mission to connect industry with academia, a powerful soundbite for professionals interested in career development.

4:40-4:44: The introduction of "jazz hands" as virtual applause in Toastmasters, a fun and shareable moment showcasing adaptation.

10:55-11:14: Gaurav’s heartfelt take on Toastmasters as a source of confidence and leadership, perfect for motivational content.

15:16-16:40: Gaurav draws a compelling parallel between business analytics and speechcraft, a thought-provoking clip for data and communication enthusiasts.

SEO Keywords: Toastmasters, Gaurav Shekhar, D50 After Dark, public speaking, leadership skills, UT Dallas, business analytics, pandemic leadership, virtual meetings, Toastmasters District 50, career development, industry-academia collaboration, public speaking tips, data analytics, confidence building

In this episode of D50 After Dark, host Mickey Bennett welcomes back Monnica Rose, past international director and District 50's historian. They dive into the 1994 split from District 25, the historian’s role in preserving Toastmasters legacy, the upcoming 2027 redistricting adding Arkansas clubs, and how members can share stories to enrich the district’s history. A must-listen for Toastmasters fans eager to learn about leadership, mentorship, and district growth!Join Mickey Bennett on D50 After Dark for a dynamic talk with Monnica Rose, District 50’s historian and past international director. Learn how District 50 split from District 25 in 1994, why preserving history matters for mentorship, and what’s coming with the 2027 redistricting bringing in Arkansas clubs. Monnica shares her journey to historian, her High Performance Leadership project for her fourth DTM, and invites members to contribute stories via a survey link. Keywords: Toastmasters District 50 history, District 25 split, Toastmasters redistricting 2027, Monnica Rose historian, High Performance Leadership HPL, Toastmasters mentorship, world champion public speaking, accredited speakers.From the district’s origins stretching to Arizona to celebrating leaders like Pauline Shirley and Alice Willhoit, this episode explores how historical records on the District 50 website inspire new members. Discover how to share your own stories and the exciting changes ahead as District 50 grows!

Highlights:

0:00 - Introduction to District 50's Origins (Chapter Marker: "The Birth of D50"): A quick intro to how District 50 was formed from District 25, setting up the historical focus.

0:47 - Welcome and Monnica's Role as Historian (Chapter Marker: "Becoming the Historian"): Monnica explains her role as historian, how she took it on after noticing missing website history, and its tie to her High Performance Leadership project.

3:54 - Importance of History for Mentorship (Chapter Marker: "Mentors from the Past"): Discussion on how documenting past leaders helps new members find mentors and resources.

7:20 - The Historian's Main Products (Chapter Marker: "Building the History Page"): Monnica outlines the website’s historical content, including past governors, international presidents, and a call for member stories.

11:43 - The Split from District 25 (Chapter Marker: "From Arizona to Louisiana"): Details on the 1994 split due to the district’s size, with over 225 clubs, and its geographical scope.

14:41 - Upcoming Redistricting with Arkansas (Chapter Marker: "Welcoming New Friends in 2027"): Excitement about adding Arkansas clubs in 2027, change management, and potential new divisions like Vista.

19:04 - Wrapping Up Cultures and Change (Chapter Marker: "Blending Cultures"): Thoughts on integrating Arkansas clubs while respecting their culture and District 50’s unique naming conventions.

Join us on D50 After Dark as we kick off Season 3 with Monnica Rose, a mechanical engineer turned Toastmasters leader. With 19 years in Toastmasters, Monnica shares her journey from aircraft modifications to international director, highlighting leadership growth, communication skills, and the power of invitation. Keywords: Toastmasters, leadership, communication, engineering, mentorship.

Highlight Chapter List (0:00)

Introduction: Season 3 kickoff, special guest (0:31)

Toastmasters Journey: 19 years, leadership roles (1:11)

Engineering Career: 35 years, aircraft modifications (11:18)

Leadership Insights: Area director, region advisor (5:47)

Mentorship Impact: Guiding global leaders (9:30)

First Evaluation: Learning from feedback (16:55)

Current Roles: Club VP, district historian (9:30)

Keywords and Key PhrasesToastmasters, leadership, communication skills, mechanical engineering, aircraft modifications, mentorship, region advisor, international director, district historian, emotional intelligence, corporate clubs, growth mindset, team collaboration, strategic thinking, public speaking

Dive into the D50 After Dark Season 2 Recap with host Mickey Bennett and the team! This season, they ventured beyond Habitat Commons, recording in coffee shops and offices, mastering green screen tech, and hitting 50 episodes. Highlights include Walter Price’s Robert’s Rules breakdown and the youth leadership team’s vibrant interview. With Toastmasters leadership in focus,

Season 3 promises live streams and demo meetings. Share your feedback and join the excitement for what’s next!The D50 After Dark Season 2 Recap celebrates 50 episodes, with recordings in diverse locations like Habitat Commons and libraries. Key moments include Walter Price’s Robert’s Rules masterclass and a green screen youth leadership episode. The team embraced guest-driven content for natural interviews. Season 3 plans include live streams, demo meetings, and Toastmasters leadership interviews. Listeners are encouraged to share the podcast and suggest guests to make Season 3 the best yet!

Chapter Marker Highlights:

0:06 - Introduction: Mickey Bennett opens the Season 2 Recap, introducing the team and plans for Season 3.

1:14 - New Locations: Team discusses recording beyond Habitat Commons in coffee shops and offices, embracing flexibility.

3:00 - Habitat Commons Upgrades: Studio upgrades led to epic episodes, with plans for more on-location recording.

4:01 - Outdoor Ideas: Potential outdoor episode with Kim sparked creative ideas despite equipment challenges.

6:02 - Dynamic Intros: Inspired by Willie Geist, the team explores walking intro shots for engagement.

8:44 - Content Insertion: Highlights include Walter Price’s voting clip and Hesh’s green screen youth leadership interview.

11:52 - Guest-Driven Focus: Season 2 prioritized Toastmasters leaders for more natural, engaging interviews.

14:34 - Behind-the-Scenes: Proposals to capture conference or planning meeting footage for a Toastmasters showcase.

18:08 - Live Recording: Plans for a live podcast at the spring conference as a breakout session.

20:01 - 50 Episodes: Celebrates hitting 50 episodes by segmenting interviews for weekly releases.

21:47 - Favorite Moments: Walter Price’s Robert’s Rules, youth leadership, and Ezekiel’s vibrant interview stand out.

25:14 - Lessons Learned: Flexibility in locations, quick setup/teardown, and guest-driven content were key takeaways.

29:42 - Season 3 Goals: Expand team, live stream, record demo meetings, and interview Toastmasters leadership.

43:35 - Election Interviews: Ideas for interviewing big three candidates, navigating Toastmasters rules, possibly post-election.

48:06 - Future Guests: Suggest Aletta Rochat, Pauline Shirley, division directors, and enthusiastic new members.

55:43 - Call to Action: Share D50 After Dark, comment on desired guests, and engage on social media.

This video is NOT sponsored.

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StoriesD50 After Dark is your gateway to the untold narratives within the Toastmasters community. Hosted by Mickey Bennett, DTM, this podcast brings together Toastmasters' finest to discuss the nuances of public speaking, share their journeys, and explore the diverse aspects of communication and leadership.Don't miss this chance to learn, grow, and engage. Mark your calendars for a thrilling podcast experience. Inquiries or suggestions? Contact us at [email protected]. Let's empower District 50 Toastmasters together!

Storytelling, Toastmasters, and Customer Experience

• Name: Vijay Tambwekar

• Bio: Vijay is the author of Customer Experience Decoded and an experienced professional who has led large teams in IT and organizational initiatives. His passion for storytelling and effective communication has driven his success in writing and leadership, enhanced by his involvement in Toastmasters.

• [0:00] - Intro

  [00:27] - Introduction: Mickey welcomes listeners and introduces guest Vijay Tambwekar, setting the stage for a discussion on storytelling and customer experience.

• [02:17] - Vijay’s Toastmasters Journey: Vijay explains his initial needs for improving writing and leadership communication, leading him to join the Storytellers Toastmasters Club.

• [06:00] - Applying Customer Experience Model: Vijay discusses how his model, inspired by Maslow’s hierarchy, helped identify his storytelling needs and how Toastmasters addressed them.

• [09:58] - Levels of Needs in Storytelling: Vijay outlines how his needs for content, language, and effective delivery were met through Toastmasters’ practical feedback.

• [13:27] - Practical Learning in Toastmasters: Vijay describes how table topics and speeches provided experimentation opportunities, refining his storytelling skills.

• [18:13] - Storytelling in Leadership: Vijay emphasizes the importance of storytelling for leaders to inspire teams and ensure memorable communication.

• [20:43] - Future of Storytelling: Vijay shares plans to continue using storytelling in daily interactions and potentially for future writing projects.

• [26:18] - Call to Action: Vijay advises listeners to assess their own needs using his model and seek resources like Toastmasters to achieve personal growth.

• Vijay Tambwekar’s book: Customer Experience Decoded: A Guide to Design, Measure, and Improve Customer Experience, available on Amazon.

• Vijay’s blog: Personal and Professional Excellence.

• Podcast Platforms:

  • Spotify

  • Apple Podcasts

• Subscribe: Follow D50 After Dark on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or other platforms to stay updated.

• Host: Mickey Bennett

• Guest: Vijay Tambwekar

Finding Their Voice: Success Stories from District 50's Youth Leadership Programs

Highlights

0:00  Jen discusses parents' appreciation of their children's progress in gavel club.

1:42  Suhani shares her experience learning key speaking skills: impromptu speeches, vocal variety, and hand gestures.

6:09  Jason explains how his initial skepticism about Toastmasters changed, helping him overcome nervousness.

9:06  Jen describes how parents witness their children's transformation in confidence and skills.

11:42  Discussion of how some gavel clubs mix children of different ages, with older students serving as role models.

14:52  Nikki mentions how adult Toastmasters can fulfill DTM requirements by leading youth programs.

16:32  Jen shares how her daughter benefited from the youth leadership program, becoming a confident speaker.

Summary

This episode of D50 After Dark focuses on success stories from District 50 Toastmasters' youth leadership programs. The guests discuss testimonials from participants Suhani and Jason, who developed confidence and speaking skills through the programs. 

Suhani transformed from a nervous speaker to one who masterfully demonstrates techniques like vocal variety and hand gestures. Nikki reveals that Jason was the oldest in his class and initially unhappy about attending, but she encouraged him to stay, emphasizing the importance for "a young Black man to present himself well." With his mother's support, Jason stuck with it and flourished.

The conversation turns to parental involvement, with Jen explaining, "The parents are in the back of the room, usually. I let them stay if they're well behaved." They often report amazement at the transformation in their children's confidence, organization, and ability to provide constructive feedback. Nikki adds that parents themselves learn presentation skills by watching the children.

Parents play a crucial role by facilitating attendance and witnessing their children's growth. They often report amazement at the transformation in their children's confidence, organization, and ability to provide constructive feedback. Jen's club uniquely includes children from second grade through high school, creating valuable cross-age learning experiences.

Adult Toastmasters also benefit professionally from these programs, as leading them helps fulfill Distinguished Toastmaster requirements. Jen shares her personal experience organizing a program for her daughter's class in 1993, which later enabled her daughter to confidently present to corporate executives.

The program offers exceptional value compared to other public speaking training, with the youth leadership program being completely free. Through these initiatives, Toastmasters creates pathways for youth to develop essential communication and leadership skills that serve them throughout their lives.

Starting a Gavel Club: Bringing Toastmasters to Young People

Highlights

0:14  Mickey introduces D50 After Dark, focusing on starting a Gavel Club for young people interested in Toastmasters.

2:32  Jen explains that starting a Gavel Club has fewer requirements than starting a Toastmaster Club.

3:45  Clubs pay a $125 registration fee plus $125 annual fee. 

7:00  Pathways is not accessible to Gavel Club members; they use digital versions of older Toastmaster manuals.

9:42  Hitesh notes that Gavel Clubs face similar challenges to regular Toastmasters Clubs.

10:53  Nikki identifies finding free meeting space as a major challenge for youth leadership programs.

14:12  Jen recommends starting with the youth leadership program as a short introduction before connecting with a Gavel Club for continued development.

Summary

This D50 After Dark episode, hosted by Mickey Bennett, features guests Jen Hoch and Nikki Jones, with input from Hitesh Bhalala, about starting and running Gavel Clubs for youth. The conversation is warm and informative tone with plenty of back-and-forth exchanges.

Jen, who has 15 years of experience with Gavel Clubs, explains they're easier to establish than adult Toastmasters Clubs. Requirements include having members under 18, endorsement from a host location (often a local Toastmasters club) and following Toastmasters International procedures. It is recommended to have at least seven members to start. The club pays a one-time $125 registration fee plus an annual $125 fee for affiliation.

Gavel Club members use digital versions of the Competent Communicator, Competent Leader, and advanced manuals. Jen appreciates these resources, noting that the ten speeches in the Competent Communicator manual progressively build skills from icebreakers to more complex presentations. The Competent Leadership manual helps members understand meeting roles  and the corresponding leadership skills.

Hitesh mentions that Gavel Clubs face similar challenges to regular Toastmasters Clubs, particularly managing summer breaks when students may be unavailable. Nikki adds that finding suitable free meeting spaces is a significant hurdle for youth leadership programs, though they have successfully partnered with libraries and community centers. Jen's club meets in a city community center with discounted rental fees due to their nonprofit status.

Both Jen and Nikki enthusiastically confirm the programs are "100%" worth the effort, with Nikki highlighting parents' amazement at the dramatic changes they see in just four weeks. Jen shares success stories of students who started in second grade and continued until joining high school debate teams.

For those interested, the hosts recommend reaching out via email to [email protected], where Nikki personally responds and connects interested parties with nearby clubs. Jen suggests starting with the youth leadership program as an introduction before moving to a Gavel Club and recommends having young people visit Toastmaster meetings or contests to see the process firsthand.

The episode ends with Mickey promoting the next installment, which will feature stories about the experiences of kids in these programs.

Youth Leadership Summit: A Celebration of Success

Highlights

(0:43) “And in today's episode...we’re going to be talking about the Youth Leadership Summit.”

(1:17) Youth Leadership Summit is a celebration of successes, workshops, and a speech competition.

(3:04) Educational workshops, like public speaking for social media

(4:10) When registering for Summit, they can choose if they want to participate in the International speech contest.

(6:45) This is for anybody, so the first invitations went out to past participants and gavel clubs. 

(8:02) The fee is $20, which includes workshops, lunch and access to mentors.

(11:27 Kids are like sponges, picking up ideas and techniques from competitors.

Summary

The transcript captures a lively discussion about the upcoming Youth Leadership Summit on the D50 After Dark podcast, hosted by Mickey Bennett. He’s joined by Nikki Jones, the program coordinator, and Jen Hoch, who has attended previous summits, with a video message from Hitesh Bhalala, District 50 Youth Leadership Chair.

The summit is described as a “celebration of successes” that will take place on Saturday, April 26th at the Scottish Rite in Frisco, running from 9:30 AM after registration. For just $20, participants receive a full day of workshops, lunch, and mentorship. The event features educational sessions like “public speaking for social media,” “Hook, Line, and Sinker” to grasp audience attention, and practical skills like interview preparation with HR managers from various companies. Parents are encouraged to stay and will have their own dedicated sessions.

A highlight of the summit is the Inspirational Speech Contest, where participants can deliver a 3- to 5-minute speech on any topic, with prizes for the top performers. As Jen excitedly explains, “They love getting a medallion or a trophy or recognition as being one of the better or best speakers for the contest.” The competitive environment also provides valuable learning opportunities as participants watch each other and “pick up things that they like and will take them back and incorporate them in their next speech.”

Registration opened first for past youth leadership program participants and gavel club members, but it will be available to the public as well. The team expects spots to fill quickly, as their previous event “filled up in less than a minute.” The summit is open to anyone aged 10-18, not just those who have participated in previous programs.

The conversation is punctuated with enthusiasm, with Nikki sharing her excitement about keynote speaker Denise Castille: “I totally fangirled because I think she’s such a dynamic speaker. She’s amazing.” Mickey connects by sharing his own childhood memory of a Nintendo World Championship, suggesting the summit will create similarly lasting memories for participants.

District 50 Toastmasters’ webpage about youth programs is https://d50tm.org/pq/youth-leadership/