PODCAST · society
Mark Twain Speaks Podcast
by Don McNeill
“I was born humble, but it wore off!” Mark TwainWelcome to The Mark Twain Speaks Podcast. My name is Don McNeill and my goal is to bring the wit and wisdom of Mark Twain back to life for the modern audience. I am a Mark Twain scholar and interpreter. Over the past several years, I have performed for live audiences – everything from corporate to nonprofit venues. I have had a passion for Twain’s books and speeches since I was a child growing up in his beloved Missouri. I leave it my listeners to judge my success or failure. My speaking skills were developed with the support and constructive feedback from my Toastmasters family. Don McNeill, DTM“The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” Mark Twain
Episodes
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Every School Boy was Lied to about the Death of Captain Cook
As a schoolboy, Mark Twain was taught that Captain Cook was brutally murdered by the savages in the Sandwich Islands. When he travelled there he learned the truth.
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Mark Twain Once Hugged a Man
Mark Twain was lost in a snowstorm in the Nevada Territory. Seemingly, he and his friends were near death. They swore to give up drinking, smoking and gambling if they survived.
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Mark Twain Introduces His Richest Friend, Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie loved Mark Twain. Twain is the only one who dared make fun of Carnegie in public. Mr Twain will also request that you not put hot coffee between your legs.
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Mark Twain's Favorite Child
Mark Twain reveals two things -- Suzy was his favorite child. Also, the true editor of Huckleberry Finn was his wife Livy.
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Mark Twain Discusses Gun Ownership
In this episode, Mark Twain discusses gun ownership in comparison to how it was during his time.
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Mark Twain Compares Plantation Owners with Congressmen
In Mark Twain's time, plantation owners and congressmen were often the same people. In this podcast, Mr Twain also compares lawyers and plumbers. The plumbers come out on top.
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Mark Twain Recalls the Abuse of the Chinese in San Francisco
During the slavery era, Westerners often felt morally superior to the Southern slave owners. But as Mark Twain witnessed, the abuse of the Chinese in San Francisco was equally horrendous.
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Our Railroads Kill Unnecessary Americans
Mark Twain praises America's railroads for their kindness as they return the remains of people they kill -- in complimentary baskets. They provide jobs for high-priced lawyers and basket makers.
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Mark Twain Proposes Using Congressmen as Jurors
Mark Twain starts off by celebrating the 4th of July but loses focus. He wants to make our jury system great again by using Congressmen as jurors.
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Did Mark Twain Scam the Public?
Social media didn't exist in Twain's time. He had to find other ways to create his fame in New York City. This podcast will reveal how Mark Twain became famous for giving away 3,000 tickets to his lecture on the Hawaiian Islands.
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Mark Twain Discusses Brexit
An elderly British woman needed to see her doctor. The waiting room was filled with Portuguese immigrants. Mark Twain explains her frustration and why she voted for Brexit.
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3 Months Without Cigars
When Mark Twain was 15, he gave up smoking in an effort to impress the girls in Hannibal. It was torture. It was a glorious day when he went back to the joys of smoking. . .
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Mark Twain Honored by Oxford University
Things that we don't earn, mean the most to us. Mark Twain's honorary degree from Oxford cost him nothing but meant everything.
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Mark Twain Fakes an Injury
When Mark Twain fell in love with Olivia Langdon, he looked for ways to spend time wooing her. A fall from a buggy gave him that opportunity...
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Mark Twain Steals the Gingerbread
"My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it." Mark Twain was the bad child, Henry was the good child. Our mother blamed me for almost everything -- and most of the time she was right.
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Mark Twain, Memories of His Mother
The first voice that Mark Twain heard was that of his mother, Jane. She was always an ally of the helpless. The lessons he learned of compassion, kindness and bravery he would carry throughout his long life.
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Concerning The Jews
In this podcast, Mark Twain discusses the Jews. He corrects a mistake he made in the Harpers Monthly. Mark Twain expounds on the Jews' service to G-d AND country.
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Mark Twain Praises Helen Keller
Mark Twain considered Helen Keller to be one of the most remarkable of all Americans -- male or female. In 1906, Twain read a letter written by Helen at a fundraising event in New York City. In this podcast, Mark Twain will read the letter.
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Mark Twain On Lying
Mark Twain storyteller Don McNeill will attempt to talk about children. He will fail and end up talking about Lying! Please forgive him!
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Mark Twain Observes International Women's Day
International Women's Day was celebrated on March the 8th. Mark Twain feels compelled to comment on this important event.
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Mark Twain Was Never A Toastmaster
Mark Twain interpreter Don McNeill is a proud member of Toastmasters. Mr. Twain learned the art of public speaking without the Toastmaster's experience. How was he able to accomplish this? This podcast will answer that question.
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The Unfair Treatment of College Coaches Must Stop!
I hate work even when another person does it. I've felt this way since childhood. Today -- it's my task to find ways to relieve the incredible stress placed on college coaches. They often are forced to accept millions for just watching the efforts of unpaid athletes. Imagine the horror!
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Collegiate Athletics is The New Plantation System
In North Carolina -- there has been a controversy surrounding a Confederate Statue known as Silent Sam. This offensive pile of chiselled stone has been removed. Perhaps we should look elsewhere on campus for the last vestiges of the plantation system. Let's consider the athletic department; where...
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Slavery - Part Two
The “N” word. Did that get your attention? Someone said that I use that offensive word more than 200 times in Huckleberry Finn. I have chosen not to use it for my listeners today. I will continue to paint the picture of slavery – as I saw if from the perspective of a child growing up in Hannibal,...
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Slavery - Part 1 - A Valuable Story From Mark Twain
In my time – nobody talked about racism and slavery as me. That is, no white person. While I can never claim the experience that Booker T. Washington had as a former slave – I feel that my story has value. I grew up in slave country. My father owned and “borrowed” slaves from nearby farmers.…
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70th Birthday - Mark Twain Reflects On Old Age
I have reached the 7th tiered summit. This did not occur overnight. It’s my great pleasure to tell my listeners how much wisdom I have accumulated and to share it. I need to thank everyone for praising me on reaching this milestone. I invite you to light up a cigar and listen.
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Morality - How To Become A Better Person
Everyone who knows me – know that I would rather teach morals than to have them myself. If my listeners will listen carefully to 3 carefully selected stories – they have an opportunity to lead morally, correct lives. Kindly share what you have learned with your loved ones. Mark Twain
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Advice On Opening Speeches From Mark Twain
When introductions are necessary – I prefer to them myself: that way I can get in all the facts. I will share with listeners some favorite intros. Feel free to use them at your own events. At my advanced age – I prefer never to be introduced again. Mark Twain
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Mark Twain as Played by Don McNeill
I’m told that I must introduce myself, so here goes. My name is Don McNeill and I am a Mark Twain scholar and interpreter. We have no recordings of Mr. Twain’s voice – so the word “impersonator” cannot be used. That being said – allow me to give a brief background on myself that hopefully…
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Mark Twain Reflects on the Power of Contagions
Mark Twain tells stories from his boyhood and how a measles epidemic almost killed him when he was younger. Mark Twain assures that we will get through this latest crisis with the help of doctors and nurses.
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Patti Williams discusses racism that she experienced as a child in Birmingham, AL
Patti Williams of Raleigh, NC shares some of your experiences growing up in segregated Birmingham, AL.
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Mark Twain Introduces His Richest Friend, Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie loved Mark Twain. Twain is the only one who dared make fun of Carnegie in public. Mr Twain will also request that you not put hot coffee between your legs.
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Mark Twain’s Favorite Child
Mark Twain reveals two things — Suzy was his favorite child. Also, the true editor of Huckleberry Finn was his wife Livy.
-
Mark Twain Recalls the Abuse of the Chinese in San Francisco
During the slavery era, Westerners often felt morally superior to the Southern slave owners. But as Mark Twain witnessed, the abuse of the Chinese in San Francisco was equally horrendous.
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Grandpa’s Death Starts a Family Food Fight
Somethings never change. In Mark Twain’s time, families fought over the possessions of the dear departed. And so it is today.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
“I was born humble, but it wore off!” Mark TwainWelcome to The Mark Twain Speaks Podcast. My name is Don McNeill and my goal is to bring the wit and wisdom of Mark Twain back to life for the modern audience. I am a Mark Twain scholar and interpreter. Over the past several years, I have performed for live audiences – everything from corporate to nonprofit venues. I have had a passion for Twain’s books and speeches since I was a child growing up in his beloved Missouri. I leave it my listeners to judge my success or failure. My speaking skills were developed with the support and constructive feedback from my Toastmasters family. Don McNeill, DTM“The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” Mark Twain
HOSTED BY
Don McNeill
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Mark Twain Speaks Podcast have?
Mark Twain Speaks Podcast currently has 40 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Mark Twain Speaks Podcast about?
“I was born humble, but it wore off!” Mark TwainWelcome to The Mark Twain Speaks Podcast. My name is Don McNeill and my goal is to bring the wit and wisdom of Mark Twain back to life for the modern audience. I am a Mark Twain scholar and interpreter. Over the past several years, I have performed...
How often does Mark Twain Speaks Podcast release new episodes?
Mark Twain Speaks Podcast has 40 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Mark Twain Speaks Podcast?
You can listen to Mark Twain Speaks Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Mark Twain Speaks Podcast?
Mark Twain Speaks Podcast is created and hosted by Don McNeill.
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