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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

...

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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

...

Send us Fan Mail

Can you bear the bare truth of what goes on behind the scenes at Toastmasters? 

Be warned this is my first PG rated episode as Nicky reveals all. 

What is it with Toastmasters and the number 3? Even at District Level we have "the trio" ! 

This is Part 2 of 2 of my chat with Nicky Jurd, fresh off her year as District 69 District Director from Cairns, Australia. Tune in to hear the bare truth of her favourite story from her time as District Director...if you dare! 

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 can you learn from a Toastmasters International District Director at the end of her term?

1] You don’t need to aspire to the role to benefit. Nicky Jurd never originally planned to become District Director. Like many leaders, she ended up there. Profit from what she learned along the way.

2] Leadership lessons that go beyond Toastmasters. The approaches she used with her team, her district, and difficult conversations apply anywhere.

3] Unfiltered insights into Toastmasters International. From membership decline to tech frustrations, get a behind-the-scenes look at where the organization is headed.

This is Part 1 of 2 of my chat with Nicky Jurd, fresh off her year as District 69 District Director from Cairns, Australia. Tune in to hear what surprised her most, what was hardest, and what she says was the best part of the role.

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 have a fear of public speaking? If you need inspiration for speaking to a large audience, look no further than 12 year old Charlie Priem. He recently performed the opening welcome address at our Toastmasters District Conference. Listen in to learn how he managed that at his tender age, and be inspired. 

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 be brave enough to take on the role of Convenor for a Toastmasters District level Conference? What about if you’d never even organised a club level contest, let alone Area or Division? How about it also required enticing a whole district to drive 2.5 hours from the nearest major centre, and much further for many others? Finally, would you ask your 12 year old son to open the Conference and would your son be brave enough to not only take on the task, but embrace it with enthusiasm? This episode's Toastmasters World Tour guest, Michelle Priem and her son Charlie, not only took on all that, but were highly successful and did it in style. Tune in to today's podcast to find out how she did it, and what lessons can be learnt. 

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 know how a Toastmasters District Champion prepares for the International Speech contest at the World Championship of Public Speaking? Today’s guest, Kimberly Harpur, recently won the New Zealand North District 112 [District 72 since July 1st] International Speech Contest and the video of that speech was also successful at the Quarterfinals, and thus she has progressed to the Semifinals at the World Championship of Public Speaking, Vancouver, August 19-22

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 be game enough to agree to a Podcast interview if it was in your lunch break, impromptu, and you were brand new to Toastmasters? This episode's Toastmasters World Tour Podcast guest, Beryl Rachier is new to Toastmasters and, under no pressure, willingly agreed to a Podcast chat sprung on her with no warning at the end of an introductory mentor session. Let’s hear how she goes, her first impressions, and leave some encouraging comments for our brave beginner. 

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 you can visit Toastmasters clubs overseas and will be warmly welcomed? Just use “Find a Club” on the Toastmasters International Website and check the meeting times. 

Today's guest is the newly crowned District 69 Toastmaster of the year, Deb Barnett, who humbly discusses her surprise at receiving this prestigious award, and her recent Irish Toastmasters Club visits on her recent pre-crowning "Royal" tour of Europe.

Toastmasters International find a club here:

https://www.toastmasters.org/find-a-club

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

...