D50 After Dark

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 Ivy Tech

9:02 – Benefits from pitching the biotech program to high school students

13:16 - Ezekiel's current roles in Toastmasters

Summary:

In this episode of D50 After Dark, host Mickey Bennett interviews Ezekiel Setne, Area 61 Director in District 50 Toastmasters. Ezekiel shares his fascinating journey

 Ezekiel's path took an interesting turn when he enrolled at Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana. There, he joined a brand-new biotechnology program with only three students across all Ivy Tech campuses. This unique opportunity led him to pitch the program to local high schools, further honing his “on-the-fly” public speaking skills and securing a grant that helped him stay in school during financially challenging times.

 Even though he had early success in public speaking in 4-H and in college, Ezekiel didn't join Toastmasters until his early 30s, initially believing it was only for elite speakers. Now, he serves as the president of Plano Toastmasters and Area

 Throughout the interview, Ezekiel and Mickey discover shared experiences, including both having attended Ivy Tech, which they jokingly refer to as their "Ivy League" education. The episode concludes with a teaser for the next

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 this delightfully lively episode of D50 After Dark, host Mickey Bennett, DTM, and District Director Kimberly Ross, DTM, meet at a coffee house and explore the fun side of

Kim kicks things off by declaring that Toastmasters provides a choice of a "jillion clubs" where members can meet people from around the world. It's the perfect, safe place to practice your speaking, to learn to lead, and just to be transparent and get to know other people.

The dynamic duo then takes us on a whirlwind tour of Toastmasters' greatest hits of fun. It includes ice

Mickey regales with tales of "Post Toasties", when his club gathers at a bar after their meeting and members philosophize over drinks. Kim, not to be outdone, shares stories of concerts, photo booths, funny hats, and division directors on a mission to inject fun into every meeting. She emphasizes that a Toastmasters meeting, even in the middle of a busy workday during a hectic week, is energizing.

The conversation takes an unexpected turn when Mickey reveals his secret dream of hosting a meeting in a hidden amphitheater that he discovered while on a walk deep in the woods at a local park. Kim enthusiastically jumps on board, suggesting they turn it into a podcast episode. It’s possible that D50 After Dark might be coming to a forest near you!

The episode wraps up with a call to action for listeners to join this woodland adventure, promising FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) for those who don't participate. It's clear that in the world of D50 Toastmasters, fun is not just encouraged— it's practically mandatory!

Listeners, let us know that you want to join the fun on a Toastmasters nature event. 

Email us at [email protected] or D50 Cares at [email protected]

Chapter 1: Introduction to the Episode 

Chapter 2: Understanding the Distinguished Club Program (DCP) 

Chapter 3: The Vision for District 50 

Chapter 4: Historical Context and District Pride 

Chapter 5: The Role of Every Member in the District's Vision 

Chapter 6: Challenges and Strategies for Membership Growth 

Chapter 7: Call to Action and Leadership Contact 

Show Notes for D50 After Dark - Episode 5: "Toastmasters in College"
Episode Description:

Key Takeaways:
Call to Action:

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 discussing specific applications of Robert's Rules of Order in Toastmasters settings. The conversation begins with a

Walter and host Mickey Bennett break down the role-play, highlighting key aspects such as the importance of recognizing speakers, balancing discussion, and the process of calling for a vote. They emphasize how well-run discussions often lead to unanimous decisions in Toastmasters.

The conversation then expands to other scenarios where Toastmasters clubs can apply Robert's Rules, including

The episode concludes with a discussion on the value of learning and practicing Robert's Rules in Toastmasters. Walter asserts that this knowledge is beneficial in various

Throughout the conversation, Walter provides insights into the nuances of parliamentary procedure, such as the role of the presiding officer in remaining neutral and the process of

District 50 Parliamentarian:

Walter “The Encourager” Price

469-474-5241

[email protected]

Sources:

Robert's Rules Cheat Sheet from University of North Carolina

Robert’s Rules of Order, 12th

Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly

National Association of Parliamentarians

 0:00 - Intro

Highlights:

00:30 - Introduction to Robert's Rules of Order

04:56 - Origins and history of Robert's Rules

10:56 - How to put a motion on the floor

15:48 - The main motion and seconding

23:36 - Process after discussion (calling the question, voting)

27:48 - Six types of motions

28:27 - Six steps for handling a motion

3013 - Upcoming training for Toastmasters area/division directors

31:20 - Resources for learning more about parliamentary procedure

Summary:

The episode features Walter "The Encourager" Price discussing the basics of Robert's Rules of Order with

Walter traces the origins back to General Henry Robert in 1876, who developed the system after attending disorganized civic and church meetings. The rules have since been updated and are widely used by organizations, including churches, synagogues, political bodies, businesses, and Toastmasters.

The core process involves:

Walter emphasizes the importance of the chair in facilitating the meeting impartially and keeping everyone informed of the proceedings. He explains concepts like amending motions, calling the previous question to end debate, and different voting methods. 

The episode concludes with Walter mentioning upcoming

Overall, the episode provides a basic introduction to

District 50 Parliamentarian:

Walter “The Encourager” Price

469-474-5241

[email protected]

Sources:

Robert's Rules Cheat Sheet from University of North Carolina

Robert’s Rules of Order, 12th edition

Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly

National Association of Parliamentarians https://www.parliamentarians.org

Highlights:

(1:37)

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(3:42)

(6:46)

(8:03)

(10:36)

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(15:40)

In this

Walter's expertise in parliamentary procedure stems from his experience as a student body president and his 25-year career teaching speech, business, and leadership courses at the college level. He stresses the value of understanding Robert's Rules of Order for leaders in various organizations and incorporates this knowledge into his teaching.

The interview also highlights Walter's passion for mentoring. He shares how he adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic by using Zoom to mentor young men, providing daily affirmations and motivation. Walter encourages others to embrace similar mentoring opportunities using technology.

Walter, known as “The Encourager,” is currently writing books on leadership and communication. He draws inspiration from notable motivational speakers and aims

469-474-5241

[email protected]

Kimberly Ross Breaking Ice 

Highlights

2:28 - How Kim got started in Toastmasters

3:37 - Memorable moment from early Toastmasters days

9:41- Kim's path to becoming District Director

11:10 - Responsibilities of a District Director

13:46 - Kim's approach to leadership

16:08 - Impact of Toastmasters on Kim's professional life

16:57 - Kim's personal goals

In this episode of D50 After Dark's second season, host Mickey Bennett, DTM, welcomes District 50 Director Kimberly Ross, DTM. Kim shares her six-year Toastmasters

Early in her Toastmasters experience, Kim helped revive a struggling corporate club, an experience that shaped her leadership approach. As District Director, she leads the District Trio with Program Quality Director Denise Castille, DTM, and Club Growth Director Rhonda Bunte, DTM. Kim further describes her role leading the team of division directors: "My role is to collaborate with division directors, lead them and guide them, encourage them when they may be feeling frustrated and cheer them on when they're doing amazing things."

Kim's leadership style involves asking team members how they want to be led and how they prefer to lead others, fostering open communication and personalized support. She credits Toastmasters with boosting her confidence in public speaking and professional settings, noting that her workplace leaders now trust her to address large audiences.

The interview touches on Kim's personal life. She has participated in triathlon competitions. Her recent home purchase has inspired her goal of being a responsible homeowner.

Throughout the conversation, Kim's journey from surprised participant to district leader showcases the transformative power of Toastmasters. Her story illustrates how embracing

Mickey closes the episode with the promise of future episodes that will explore Kim's vision for district success and the role of area directors, providing listeners with deeper insights into District 50's leadership and goals. Listeners can expect to tune in to a bit of fun too.

In the Rearview and Full-Speed Ahead

0:00 The D50 After Dark podcast team—host Mickey Bennett, producer Tommy Kenyon, and associate producers Jerry Baskett and Helen Williams—gather to reflect on their inaugural year. The team discusses memorable moments, lessons learned, and ideas for the show going forward.

In sharing their standout experiences, Tommy and Helen both highlight the interview with Aletta Rochat from South Africa, 2:47 which caused scheduling challenges but showed the team's ability to pivot. 5:08 Jerry finds the “Meet the Team” series particularly engaging, appreciating the behind-the-scenes insights. 6:20 Mickey recalls the first episode on proxy voting, which exposed the team’s learning curve and led to improvements in their production process.

The team emphasizes the importance of preparation, with varying approaches. 10:02 Helen admits that she initially over-prepared, creating detailed scripts, but she learned to offer full research that allowed for organic conversation. 13:16 In Jerry’s opinion, thorough research preparation is important for handling unexpected interview directions. 8:57 Tommy focuses on the technical aspects, recalling how he learned to map sound and video equipment efficiently for smoother production.

17:14 Tommy challenges Mickey to elicit 30- to 60-second sound bites from guests for promotional use, incorporating storytelling techniques. Mickey responds that there are ways he can use to entice listeners and balance closed and open-ended questions.

23:00 Looking ahead to their second season, the team is ambitious with a goal to produce an episode every week. There is excitement about expanding their reach by interviewing more District 50 leaders and Toastmasters, collaborating with clubs to showcase meetings and demo meetings, and shooting behind-the-scenes episodes to show the podcast production process. 8:10, 22:41 With all the big plans, they are happy to welcome a new team member Manuel Mesa, who is quietly in command of the equipment during this recap episode.

25:52 To wrap up, Tommy shares a call to action for listeners to get involved, whether as guests, sponsors, or providing feedback. The team encourages audience engagement. Listeners can like, follow and share the podcast on all platforms and leave comments on Spotify. Listeners can email interest in being a guest, ideas, feedback, and comments to [email protected]. The D50 After Dark team wants to hear from their listeners.

Overall, the D50 After Dark team demonstrates enthusiasm for their podcast’s growth, a commitment to improvement, and a strong appreciation for the Toastmasters community they serve. They look forward to bringing more diverse and engaging content to their listeners in the upcoming season.

Email: [email protected]

In this episode, the tables are turned as Gaurav Shekhar, DTM, interviews Mickey Bennett, DTM, the regular host of D50 After Dark.

Key to topics in this episode:

2:05 Mickey's path to becoming the D50 After Dark podcast host

3:10 Podcast preparation and guest interviews

4:50 Potential future podcast ideas

5:56 The value Mickey hopes to bring to Toastmasters through the podcast

7:02 Personal growth and confidence given a boost from hosting

11:00 Advice for aspiring podcasters

12:59 Overcoming speaking nervousness

Gaurav discovers the journey and insights of the man behind the microphone. Mickey reflects on his nearly twelve years with Toastmasters and shares his part in the podcast production process, emphasizing the importance of pre-interview preparation with guests.

Looking to the future of the podcast, Mickey outlines his two main goals for the podcast: showcasing the larger world of Toastmasters and inspiring personal development. 6:18 He says, “When you start to see the larger world of Toastmasters, district events, leadership opportunities outside of your club, that's when the experience and skill you're developing in leadership really start to explode." He expresses his eagerness to interview distinguished Toastmasters in District 50, district contest speakers, and even World Champions of Public Speaking.

9:21 Gaurav discovers a fun fact: Mickey sometimes practices his narration skills by reading books to his wife to help her fall asleep.

11:01 Gaurav asked for Mickey’s suggestions for those people who want to start their own podcasts. Acknowledging that he is lucky for have the technology aspect of podcasting covered by experienced District 50 audio/video teammates, Mickey suggested ideas ranging from a subject for a speech to day-to-day topics and books.

Mickey discusses how hosting has boosted his confidence and offers tips for overcoming mental blocks in podcasting and public speaking. 13:10 He also highlights the effectiveness of Toastmasters in building confidence over time and 12:59 shares this perspective on nervousness: "Nervousness, anxiousness is physiologically the same thing as excitement. And the only difference is the way you look at it." Gaurav remembered the advice of a mentor who said that “nervousness is weak in front of your preparedness.”

At the close of the episode, Gaurav prompts Mickey for a call to action. Mickey acknowledges that D50 After Dark is wrapping up its first season, and he encourages listeners to like, follow, and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Sharing the podcast with Toastmasters clubs and friends will help grow the audience and create more value for listeners in future seasons. Mickey hints at exciting plans for season two of D50 After Dark, promising more great content for Toastmasters and personal development enthusiasts.