Toastmasters World Tour

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Given a high rate of recidivism, wouldn’t it be great if we could find ways to reduce re-offending when prisoners are released and avoid the “revolving door”? Monique Tonna, the Immediate Past International Director from Region 12, started a Toastmasters Gavel Club 7 years ago in a maximum security male prison which went on to charter as a full Toastmasters Club. The aim has been to teach and practice communication skills so they are better equipped and appropriate for life on the outside. Tune in for Monique’s remarkable and inspiring journey 

Note: This episode discusses prison language but contains no explicit language.

#Toastmasters #GavelClub #PrisonClub #InternationalDirector #Region12 #Recidivism #SecondChances

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I hope you have enjoyed this Podcast episode. I'd love to hear your feedback, and any ideas or suggestions for improvement. Your comments can reach me via my email [email protected]

You can also subscribe to this Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, YouTube,  et al. 

Follow me on Facebook

There is also an interactive map of the world you can view and click on showing the city or region where the interviewed Toastmaster/ potential Toastmaster lives here.

If you click on the location, the persons face will pop up with a link under it to the episode. Hopefully a fun way to explore the library as it builds as it's not necessary to listen to them sequentially. 

To find a local Toastmasters Club in your area, click here

For a list of online only Toastmasters Clubs, click here

...

Send us Fan Mail

Do you want to feel more confident when speaking? Who better to get advice from than a Language Confidence Strategist. One with runs on the board.

How can foreign language learners with limitations due to their linguistic level build language confidence and confidence in communication in general?

Nick Godwin is a British Expat who lives in Japan and teaches English to Japanese speakers. He has travelled the full journey of a foreign language learner, from complete novice to fluent Japanese speaker, doing a TEDx speech in Japanese. He shares the lessons he's learned and his teaching approach as a Language Confidence Strategist. 

Nick's English TEDx talk "Hidden in Translation: How we see the world through words | Nick Godwin | TEDxAwaji" here

Nick's Japanese TEDx talk "Language Learning is a Serious Sport | Nick Godwin | TEDxInnovation U" here

Nick's online English Coaching, Bylingua here

Bilingual Toastmasters clubs help learners of foreign languages

Nihonbashi Century Toastmasters Club ["the best club in all of Japan and all the world"] here

Chapter Markers:

00:00:00 Cold Start - Why confidence beats grammar
00:00:32 Welcome to the Toastmasters World Tour
00:01:44 Irasshaimase? Welcoming in Japanese
00:03:35 Why move from Plymouth to Japan?
00:06:09 Enough Japanese to get into trouble
00:08:08 Starting Bilingua & Japanese perfectionism
00:10:32 Favorite mistake - The dentist and Ki Ni Naru
00:12:38 The Buddhist altar flowers story
00:15:58 What is a Language Confidence Strategist?
00:19:03 How Toastmasters helped in English & Japanese
00:24:22 Bilingual clubs - What level do you need?
00:28:10 Two TEDx talks - Why in Japanese first?
00:34:28 TEDx #2 - Hidden in Translation
00:39:25 Lessons from the TEDx stage
00:45:02 Best advice - Go hard, go early
00:48:54 Speech contests - Training vs Test
00:52:14 Thank you & how to connect

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Topics: Toastmasters, TEDx, Japanese, Language Learning, Life in Japan, Bylingua

I hope you have enjoyed this Podcast episode. I'd love to hear your feedback, and any ideas or suggestions for improvement. Your comments can reach me via my email [email protected]

You can also subscribe to this Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, YouTube,  et al. 

Follow me on Facebook

There is also an interactive map of the world you can view and click on showing the city or region where the interviewed Toastmaster/ potential Toastmaster lives here.

If you click on the location, the persons face will pop up with a link under it to the episode. Hopefully a fun way to explore the library as it builds as it's not necessary to listen to them sequentially. 

To find a local Toastmasters Club in your area, click here

For a list of online only Toastmasters Clubs, click here

...

Send us Fan Mail

If you could effect one change in a global organisation like Toastmasters, what would it be?

I asked Denise Buckby, newly appointed to the International Board of Toastmasters International and in a strong position to help effect that change, what her number one would be.

I also delve deep to find out just who is Denise Buckby and what passions drive her

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for the time poor, there are chapter markers you can click on so you can just click on the sections that most interest you:

0:00 - Don't You Know Who I Am? Traffic stop teaser
0:54 - Welcome to the Toastmasters World Tour - Brisbane
1:56 - Congratulations - How does it feel to be International Director?
2:36 - First day at school on the International Board
3:22 - Explaining Australia - we don't ride kangaroos to work
4:36 - From District 69 Director to International Director
6:23 - The 10-month campaign journey
9:06 - It's about the voters, not the candidate
11:11 - Getting a campaign manager & going global
13:46 - When Toastmasters is a luxury - global accessibility
17:38 - Electricity bill vs Toastmasters fees
19:18 - Handover from Monique Tonner - Be yourself
21:46 - Pulled over for a traffic offence - the full story
24:31 - The gift of the gab
25:25 - Who is Denise Buckby? The Anger Management question
28:45 - What makes Denise tick - Rotary, polio, community
37:36 - Should we poach Rotarians into Toastmasters?
38:57 - That plane ride home from Anaheim 2024
43:44 - Anaheim vs Vancouver - convention comparison
45:06 - The 13-hour podcast that never was
47:46 - If you could effect one change to Toastmasters?
49:20 - How to bring more diversity - paying in your own currency
52:17 - The most controversial issue - five generations in one org
55:25 - Advice for someone contemplating joining
56:43 - Member of nine clubs & final thoughts
59:21 - Wrap up and thank you

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I hope you have enjoyed this Podcast episode. I'd love to hear your feedback, and any ideas or suggestions for improvement. Your comments can reach me via my email [email protected]

You can also subscribe to this Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, YouTube,  et al. 

Follow me on Facebook

There is also an interactive map of the world you can view and click on showing the city or region where the interviewed Toastmaster/ potential Toastmaster lives here.

If you click on the location, the persons face will pop up with a link under it to the episode. Hopefully a fun way to explore the library as it builds as it's not necessary to listen to them sequentially. 

To find a local Toastmasters Club in your area, click here

For a list of online only Toastmasters Clubs, click here

...

Send us Fan Mail

Where does a world champion draw inspiration from?

In this episode of Toastmasters World Tour, I conclude my chat with 2026 World Champion of Public Speaking, Dirceu Da Silva. We go beyond the trophy. Dirceu shares the lessons from his 10-year journey. He also reveals the one thing that stood out to him more than anything else about winning on the world stage.

This is Part 2/2. Link to Part 1/2 here

Didi's winning speech on youtube here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBnc5nfl8ow

**This episode has video version on Youtube here

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Dirceu was named after Brazilian footballer Dirceu [full name Dirceu José Guimarães, wiki article here], who scored the winner vs Italy in the 1978 World Cup 3rd place playoff [Brazil 2-1 Italy, Dirceu 71']. Details in wiki  article here

Youtube footage of Dirceu's winning goal 1978 v Italy here

Cape Verde's incredible debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup...smallest nation ever to qualify, reaching the Round of 32 vs Argentina. Details in wiki article here

I hope you have enjoyed this Podcast episode. I'd love to hear your feedback, and any ideas or suggestions for improvement. Your comments can reach me via my email [email protected]

You can also subscribe to this Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, YouTube,  et al. 

Follow me on Facebook

There is also an interactive map of the world you can view and click on showing the city or region where the interviewed Toastmaster/ potential Toastmaster lives here.

If you click on the location, the persons face will pop up with a link under it to the episode. Hopefully a fun way to explore the library as it builds as it's not necessary to listen to them sequentially. 

To find a local Toastmasters Club in your area, click here

For a list of online only Toastmasters Clubs, click here

...

Send us Fan Mail

What does it feel like when YEARS of dreaming, striving for your goal, comes down to ONE moment? 

This episode of Toastmasters World Tour I chat to 2026 World Champion of Public Speaking, Dirceu Da Silva and ask him what that moment was actually like for him when they called his name 

Didi's winning speech on youtube here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBnc5nfl8ow

**This episode has video version on Youtube here:

https://youtu.be/1-RpXLrVJKg

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I hope you have enjoyed this Podcast episode. I'd love to hear your feedback, and any ideas or suggestions for improvement. Your comments can reach me via my email [email protected]

You can also subscribe to this Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, YouTube,  et al. 

Follow me on Facebook

There is also an interactive map of the world you can view and click on showing the city or region where the interviewed Toastmaster/ potential Toastmaster lives here.

If you click on the location, the persons face will pop up with a link under it to the episode. Hopefully a fun way to explore the library as it builds as it's not necessary to listen to them sequentially. 

To find a local Toastmasters Club in your area, click here

For a list of online only Toastmasters Clubs, click here

...

Send us Fan Mail

Where is Toastmasters heading over the next year? 

Meet the new Captain of our Ship, International President Stefano McGhee, DTM. 

Hear his thoughts on the role tech and AI could play in our organisation, and who ultimately controls our destiny...

🎥 WATCH the full video interview here: 

https://youtu.be/7zro3ZrtWps

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Toastmasters Magazine article Stefano mentioned that he featured in:

"Do’s and Don’ts of Using AI in Speechwriting
Key rules for using artificial intelligence in speech prep" here:

https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/magazine-issues/2026/april/dos-and-donts-of-using-ai-in-speechwriting

I hope you have enjoyed this Podcast episode. I'd love to hear your feedback, and any ideas or suggestions for improvement. Your comments can reach me via my email [email protected]

You can also subscribe to this Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, YouTube,  et al. 

Follow me on Facebook

There is also an interactive map of the world you can view and click on showing the city or region where the interviewed Toastmaster/ potential Toastmaster lives here.

If you click on the location, the persons face will pop up with a link under it to the episode. Hopefully a fun way to explore the library as it builds as it's not necessary to listen to them sequentially. 

To find a local Toastmasters Club in your area, click here

For a list of online only Toastmasters Clubs, click here

...

Send us Fan Mail

Did you know your Icebreaker speech doesn't have to be your whole life story? 

In fact, it's usually better if it isn't. It's better to just share something interesting about yourself to break the ice. 

If you want to hear an example of this in action, listen in to this episode where James employs the very interesting device of using song lyrics and applying it to lessons he's learn in his life. He uses the key lyrics to Kenny Roger's song "The Gambler": "You've got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, and know when to run." as the backbone for his icebreaker speech

Songs:
Kenny Rogers - The Gambler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hx4gdlfamo
Leonard Cohen - Anthem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8-BT6y_wYg

Brittany Runs a Marathon imdb link here: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7671064/

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I hope you have enjoyed this Podcast episode. I'd love to hear your feedback, and any ideas or suggestions for improvement. Your comments can reach me via my email [email protected]

You can also subscribe to this Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, YouTube,  et al. 

Follow me on Facebook

There is also an interactive map of the world you can view and click on showing the city or region where the interviewed Toastmaster/ potential Toastmaster lives here.

If you click on the location, the persons face will pop up with a link under it to the episode. Hopefully a fun way to explore the library as it builds as it's not necessary to listen to them sequentially. 

To find a local Toastmasters Club in your area, click here

For a list of online only Toastmasters Clubs, click here

...

Send us Fan Mail

Want to improve your public speaking but terrified of joining Toastmasters and actually doing it? 

In this episode, I chat to my very first Toastmasters World Tour podcast guest, my brother-in-law James Caldwell who DID end up joining Toastmasters, to find out how reality compared to his expectations we discussed in episode 1 

Hear James Caldwell's expectations in January 2026 when he was considering joining  

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I hope you have enjoyed this Podcast episode. I'd love to hear your feedback, and any ideas or suggestions for improvement. Your comments can reach me via my email [email protected]

You can also subscribe to this Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, YouTube,  et al. 

Follow me on Facebook

There is also an interactive map of the world you can view and click on showing the city or region where the interviewed Toastmaster/ potential Toastmaster lives here.

If you click on the location, the persons face will pop up with a link under it to the episode. Hopefully a fun way to explore the library as it builds as it's not necessary to listen to them sequentially. 

To find a local Toastmasters Club in your area, click here

For a list of online only Toastmasters Clubs, click here

...

Send us Fan Mail

Imagine being told repeatedly as a child that you’re “good for nothing” by a trusted adult — a teacher.  

It gets internalised. It gets believed. And it has lasting consequences. Consequences many don’t overcome. 

So what an extraordinary person is this episode’s guest, Gurmeet Singh, who overcame this to be awarded 2nd place in the recent 2026 World Championship of Public Speaking in Vancouver. Listen in to today’s episode to be inspired by Gurmeet’s humbleness, humanness and ultimate triumph of the human spirit.

And if you haven’t seen it, don’t forget to watch his Finals speech on YouTube :

https://youtu.be/jidwno7oJv4?si=XBzAUgb-eYueSPjy

This is Toastmasters World Tour Podcast's first episode with a video version:

🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cAAxCpY6ObQ

Spotify Video: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5vRLS7jzKx2UIUCrMV8DaY?si=a6HTqy9lTOy8FqCXNIpX7g

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I hope you have enjoyed this Podcast episode. I'd love to hear your feedback, and any ideas or suggestions for improvement. Your comments can reach me via my email [email protected]

You can also subscribe to this Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, YouTube,  et al. 

Follow me on Facebook

There is also an interactive map of the world you can view and click on showing the city or region where the interviewed Toastmaster/ potential Toastmaster lives here.

If you click on the location, the persons face will pop up with a link under it to the episode. Hopefully a fun way to explore the library as it builds as it's not necessary to listen to them sequentially. 

To find a local Toastmasters Club in your area, click here

For a list of online only Toastmasters Clubs, click here

...

Send us Fan Mail

Would you love to improve your public speaking but are still too young for Toastmasters? 

Parents and grandparents, have you ever considered what a Toastmasters-like club could do not only for your child's/grandchild's public speaking, but also for their confidence? 

Did you know such clubs exist? They're called Gavel Clubs and they cater for school-aged kids. 

In this episode, I chat to 12-year-old Gavel Club member Flick Norris to find out what Gavel Club is really all about, what happens at a typical meeting, and why she loves it. Whether you're a tweenie or teen, or a parent or grandparent, prepare to be inspired by the articulate and confident Flick who readily stepped up for her first podcast interview!

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I hope you have enjoyed this Podcast episode. I'd love to hear your feedback, and any ideas or suggestions for improvement. Your comments can reach me via my email [email protected]

You can also subscribe to this Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, YouTube,  et al. 

Follow me on Facebook

There is also an interactive map of the world you can view and click on showing the city or region where the interviewed Toastmaster/ potential Toastmaster lives here.

If you click on the location, the persons face will pop up with a link under it to the episode. Hopefully a fun way to explore the library as it builds as it's not necessary to listen to them sequentially. 

To find a local Toastmasters Club in your area, click here

For a list of online only Toastmasters Clubs, click here

...