Transformational Pathways

This episode of the Transformational Pathways podcast features three incoming officers of Toastmasters District 46 for the year 2022-2023, Dora Maria Abreu, Evelyn Marrero, and George J. Rivera. They talk about some of the best moments they've had in Toastmasters and encourage everyone to explore the many opportunities and resources that the Pathways Program will provide.

HIGHLIGHTS

The challenges in the transition coming out of lockdowns

Their goals for the year as incoming officers

The Pathways program and how people can find a club of their choice

Dora, Evelyn, and George's most memorable moments

QUOTES

Evelynn: "There's going to be a lot of 'let's see if this works' but thankfully we have a strong leadership team and Toastmasters International gives us a lot of support towards that. So while it will be challenging I think we'll definitely come out stronger on the other end."

Dora: "For me, it was more of just being more confident in speaking publicly. So this was an opportunity to get more confident in that space in a safe environment where you would not have had that opportunity in your work experience."

George: "We want all members to feel that Pathways is really there to support their journey. We want to create tools that are time-saving, we want to be a source of resources, we want to be available, and we want to be personable. My approach is to be very personable."

Evelynn: "I began to realize that I did have a leader in me. That I did have something to share that others found interesting and that they followed. Through concise communication is how you lead best."

Connect with Dora, Evelynn, and George in the links below:

LinkedIn (Dora): https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmabreu/

LinkedIn (Evelynn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/evelyn-marrero-a9b85b39/

LinkedIn (George): https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-j-rivera-msed-dtm-9b689a5/

Find out more about Toastmasters, visit https://toastmasters46.org/ and follow District 46 on:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/toast-masters-district-46

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TMDistrict46/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/district46tm

Please rate, review and subscribe!

Toastmasters - where leaders are made.

In this episode of the Transformational Pathways podcast, Anu Senan talks to Mahesh Thapa and Amha Lawson both from the Toastmasters club at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Mahesh and Amha talk about how there is technically no limit to what you can learn and improve as a member of Toastmasters. If you have the mindset, Toastmasters will provide you with all the tools and resources necessary to achieve your goals.

HIGHLIGHTS

Mahesh and Amha's journey to joining Toastmasters

If a 6-year old can't understand it, you don't either

Toastmasters helps people improve their leadership skills

Who should join Toastmasters?

There's no limit to what you can learn

QUOTES

Mahesh: "Even I was one of those in the beginning where we think that Toastmasters is a club where people who has English as a second language go and learn how to speak well. But this is about growing and making sure you're developing your communication and leadership skills and that would happen to everyone."

Amha: "One of the best tips I got is that if you can't explain an idea so that a 6-year old can understand it, then you don't understand your own idea."

Amha: "I'm used to being very hands-on and well just let me do it myself. But that's now you lead. You lead by empowering people in those positions and then giving them the space to shine."

Mahesh: "As long as you have the mindset, Toastmasters has these projects and the pathways that has been designed to meet all your needs."

Connect with Amha and Mahesh in the links below:

LinkedIn (Mahesh): https://www.linkedin.com/in/maheshthapa/

LinkedIn (Amha): https://www.linkedin.com/in/amha-l-64ab36/

Facebook (Amha): https://www.facebook.com/amha.lawson

Find out more about Toastmasters, visit https://toastmasters46.org/ and follow District 46 on:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/toast-masters-district-46

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TMDistrict46/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/district46tm

Please rate, review and subscribe!

Toastmasters - where leaders are made.

In this episode of the Transformational Pathways podcast, Anu Senan talks to Gerlinde Brixius, a corporate banker at HSBC. Born and raised in Austria, Gerlinde had always wanted to expand her horizons by learning foreign languages. Having since studied in France, moved to Singapore, and eventually to New York, Gerlinde has learned to speak five languages: Italian, French, German, Mandarin, and English.

Upon joining Toastmasters, Gerlinde has since acquired a new skill: to use her voice not only as a means to communicate, but to advocate for sustainable living practices. More than learning a language, Gerlinde has learned how to encourage others to reduce their carbon footprint and live in a way that’s good for the planet too.

HIGHLIGHTS

An appetite for learning foreign languages

Healing and Hildegard of Bingen

Joining Toastmasters and learning how to use her voice

What's for us is good for the planet too

Toastmasters is a great place to learn leadership skills

QUOTES

Gerlinde: "An ugly little voice started coming up saying, you have to use your voice. Because there are people out there, they're great talent. But they maybe don't have the connection or they need somebody to advocate for them. And that's going to be your role."

Gerlinde: "There is nothing that's bad for the human being that will be good for the Earth, or the other way around. There's nothing that will be good for the Earth that will not be good for us, definitely."

Gerlinde: "To be an officer, and the buck stops with you in the case of a club president, you learn in a low-stake environment to be the ultimate responsible person. So for anyone who wants to launch their own business, that's so invaluable. And low stake doesn't mean it's not important. And low stake means that everybody in the room and the club supports you and even the district actually for that matter."

Connect with Gerlinde in the link below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerlindebrixius/

Find out more about Toastmasters, visit https://toastmasters46.org/ and follow District 46 on:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/toast-masters-district-46

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TMDistrict46/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/district46tm

Please rate, review and subscribe!

Toastmasters - where leaders are made.

It seems that women just make everything better, including Toastmasters Clubs. In this episode of the Transformational Pathways podcast, Anu Senan talks to Sheila Oranch.

As a pioneering female member and one of the first female club presidents of Toastmasters in New York State, Sheila Oranch has seen how the entry of women has also allowed more people from all walks of life into what was previously just a men’s club. Having been active since 1974, she has also seen how learning better communication skills have allowed people from even the worst situations to better themselves.

When you’re given a roomful of people who will give you full attention and good feedback, there’s just no limit to what you can do.

HIGHLIGHTS

How women changed Toastmasters clubs

Talking is not communicating

Lessons learned from volunteering in a prison for women

Toastmasters Clubs host youth leadership programs too

Every speed bump is a stepping stone to success

QUOTES

Sheila: "When you break any one barrier, it tends to break all the other barriers. And I don't know that it matters which is the entry point, but as soon as any self-contained homogenous group accepts any people who are different than they are ... all of a sudden, different doesn't seem so scary."

Sheila: "Talking isn't communicating. I was born talking, apparently. That came naturally. But if you're not able to listen and understand your audience and fairly exchange concepts and understanding, then you're not communicating."

Sheila: "When a person has a roomful of people genuinely listening to them, responding, applauding, giving constructive feedback, they get so much confidence you can see them blossom. Like that little flower that finally gets some water and sunshine. See them coming week after week and going from shuffling in like 'oh my god, do I have to be here' to like, they couldn't wait and competing with each other to get to be Toastmaster next meeting."

Sheila: "I never forgot being a teenager, being a young person and not being listened to. Not being heard, being treated as something like a puppy or a kitten and not a thinking, caring human being who had opinions. I want the young people to gain their voice. I want them to be heard because that's how we're going to change the world."

Sheila: "Every speed bump is a stepping stone to success. All the but-buts, all the reasons why you can't do something, that's just your to-do list. Even if something is scary or difficult, that's probably because you don't know enough about it, to know that you can do it.

Connect with Sheila in the link below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-oranch-966180/

Find out more about Toastmasters, visit https://toastmasters46.org/ and follow District 46 on:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/toast-masters-district-46

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TMDistrict46/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/district46tm

Please rate, review and subscribe!

Toastmasters - where leaders are made.

In this episode of the Transformational Pathways podcast, Anu talks to veteran educator Susan Baxter. Susan, who is currently president of two Toastmasters clubs, namely the Podcast Pioneers and New York Storytellers, retells the story of how she first discovered Toastmasters. She also talks about how her membership has improved both her professional and personal lives.

Susan’s experience with Toastmasters has benefitted her immensely, and invites everyone to first determine their personal goals and then looking for the specific club that will match their interests. As Susan will tell you, there’s literally a Toastmasters club for everyone, and they will help you achieve your goals if you are willing to put in the work.

HIGHLIGHTS

How Susan discovered Toastmasters

Toastmasters can help improve both personal and professional lives

Teaching in New York and joining multiple Toastmasters clubs

A Toastmasters club for podcasters

Why do you want to join Toastmasters?

Toastmasters will help you achieve your goals if you work on it

QUOTES

Susan: "Toastmasters helped me be quite successful when I was dean and helped me feel much more comfortable doing my job and meeting people and cold-calling different CEOs to come and be a part of the speaker series."

Susan: "When I put on that suit, that armor of who I am professionally, I can be at Lincoln Center and announcing the graduate school to the college president going, there they've met all the criteria and I mean, imagine all the people in Lincoln Center, all the parents and everything, packed, standing room. I can stand on that stage and do what I need to do as Dr. Baxter. But when I'm Susan, that's when the fears hit of, am I going to say the right thing. I don't feel that way when I'm Dr. Baxter."

Susan: "If you're looking at Toastmasters, one of the things to consider would be, why? Are you looking at it to learn another language? There's a club for that. Are you looking at it because you're trying to lighten up a little bit, there's humorous clubs. Are you terrified of speaking in front of other people, then think about you want a large club or a smaller club."

Susan: "You can do whichever way you want. There's not a wrong way, which makes Toastmasters work for anybody. And it is the best money you will ever spend to get support to improve not only your public speaking, but you make connections with people from every walk of life, and it's fabulous."

Connect with Susan and in the link below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susancbaxter/

Find out more about Toastmasters, visit https://toastmasters46.org/ and follow District 46 on:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/toast-masters-district-46

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TMDistrict46/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/district46tm

Please rate, review and subscribe!

Toastmasters - where leaders are made.

In this episode of the Transformational Pathways podcast, Anu talks to software engineer Stella Umunna. Stella, who hails from Nigeria and studied in the UK and now lives in and works in the US, is passionate about getting more girls and people of color in STEM. For Stella, getting more African people involved in STEM will mean more people working to solve important issues such as hunger, climate change, etc.

While joining Toastmasters has improved her ability to communicate with clients as well as the people she works with, Stella also talks about how her improvements as a public speaker have also affected her personal life and advocacy work. She believes that through Toastmasters, she will be able to reach more people and achieve her lifelong dream of seeing more women of color in STEM.

HIGHLIGHTS

STEM needs more women of color

Gamification as a delivery method for learning STEM

Living in three different countries and the lessons learned

Toastmasters improves both professional and personal lives

Giving and receiving feedback is a skill that can be learned

It's never too late to learn and improve

QUOTES

Stella: "As a female and software engineer of color, I've always wondered why there couldn't be more like me. Most of the time in any meetings I will have, you hardly see any women in our field. Also, you hardly see any people of color especially Black or African-American people. So I've made it my vision to get kids, K to 12, in to the STEM pipeline and help them develop a lifetime interest in Science and Technology, which is my specialty."

Stella: "The difference is that a lot of places like the US and in the UK too, a lot of money has been pumped into research and technology. And I think that's a main game changer. Africa's still a developing nation, so I guess we're still trying to solve all the infrastructure problems. That's one of the reasons why technology really isn't up to snuff, because we have to provide light, we have to provide running water and electricity for people. We're still trying to solve basic problems."

Stella: "Joining Toastmasters has helped me improve my communication skills. As part of my job, I need to communicate design plans and share ideas with my clients all the time. And now, I'm all ready to go as soon as my clients say, 'pitch me something.'"

Stella: "I really love the Toastmasters club. I don't know why I didn't join 10 years ago. But I guess it's never too late. Life is a life-learning process. You're never too old to learn, you can always keep improving yourself."

Connect with Stella and her work in the links below:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stella-umunna-741a746/

STEMKasa (Learning App): https://www.stemkasa.com

Find out more about Toastmasters, visit https://toastmasters46.org/ and follow District 46 on:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/toast-masters-district-46

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TMDistrict46/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/district46tm

Please rate, review and subscribe!

Toastmasters - where leaders are made.

In this episode of the Transformational Pathways podcast, Anu talks to Anna Zhao. Anna is a financial management specialist by trade, but is a storyteller at heart. Growing up in China, Anna was encouraged by her parents to pursue her interests, public speaking being among the many. As an adult, she reignited that passion upon joining Toastmasters.

Anna talks about commitment, and how her unwavering passion allowed her to continue improving her speeches virtually during quarantine. While the experience of speaking to a live audience is incomparable, her passion for the craft was not diminished and she continued to be active in her club.

HIGHLIGHTS

How Anna rediscovered her love of public speaking with Toastmasters

Early childhood and growing up in China

Entering the United States and developing more passions

It's all about commitment: speeches in the era of Zoom meetings

Picking up leadership skills with Toastmasters

A lifetime of developing passions

QUOTES

Anna: "I just signed up and starting from there, I gave a speech and learned from all the excellent toastmasters members. It has been a transformative experience. Every single day, I'm inspired by the people and by the stage itself."

Anna: "Writing a speech is a journey with ourselves. Each story is about ourselves, we just need to dig deep into our own story and then write it, rehearse it, and deliver it. It's about ourselves, it's just like a commitment. When we give a commitment, it's not about the other person."

Anna: "If we talk about the commitment to the club, to giving a speech, to Toastmasters, it's all about ourselves. I want to get deeper into myself, to have discoveries about myself. I write about it, I contemplate it. It's about ourselves. Once we think through this, it's a natural flow from there."

Connect with Anna in the links below:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annazhao-ny/

Leadership Roundtable Open House Registration Link (May 2): https://www.leadershiproundtable.toastmastersclubs.org/directions.html

Find out more about Toastmasters, visit https://toastmasters46.org/ and follow District 46 on:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/toast-masters-district-46

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TMDistrict46/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/district46tm

Please rate, review and subscribe!

Toastmasters - where leaders are made.

In this episode of the Transformational Pathways podcast, Anu talks to Rose-Gaëlle Belinga of the Midtown's Best Toastmaster Club. Also known as RG to her friends, she is a software engineer at Morgan Stanley, where she works on mobile and web application infrastructure development. RG joined Toastmasters to improve her communication skills after receiving feedback from a manager that this was an area that she could work on.

Besides becoming a seasoned public speaker, RG said the lessons she learned in Toastmasters has also been useful in her professional life, as her role often involves communicating with people from diverse backgrounds. RG believes in the power of feedback, and Toastmasters has been an excellent venue for her to receive and give transformational advice.

In today’s episode of the Transformational Pathways episode, Anu Senan talks to Kimberly Tanksley. Kimberly first joined Toastmasters over 25 years ago to build her self-confidence and skills as a public speaker. Three years ago, Kimberly rejoined the organization and even volunteered as an officer to keep herself accountable to her goals.

Kimberly understands that to be a good public speaker, one needs to put in the necessary hours of learning and practice. As a seasoned public speaker in her own right, she shares a lot of practical tips for people who struggle with speaking to crowds. She also reminds us that it's okay to make mistakes sometimes, because this is what makes us human.

In today’s episode of the Transformational Pathways episode, guest host Chris Decker talks to Anu Senan, the new host of the podcast. Moving forward, Anu will take over as host of the Transformational Pathways podcast.

Anu joined the Toastmasters club of her organization, UNICEF called the Global Expressions in 2017. Sometime later she also joined Ladies Advancing Communication Excellence (LACE), a Toastmasters club based in Brooklyn.

Anu, who also hosts the Heroes of New York podcast, is a big believer of the power of storytelling, and will strive to bring in rich stories that build human connections. She also hopes that with every episode, listeners will learn a thing or two and build new meaningful human connections as well.