Toasty Talks

You can deliver a killer speech and still never get booked, and Sylvia and Ty explain exactly why. We dig into the unglamorous truth about building a professional speaking business: the stage is only a fraction of the work, and the real engine is clarity, positioning, relationships, and consistent value long before you touch a microphone.Sylvia shares how Toastmasters helped her sharpen her message into a focused lane around emotional intelligence, communication, and relationships, plus what she learned competing among tens of thousands of speakers at the World Championship of Public Speaking. Ty walks us through his path from loving the spotlight to treating speaking like a real business, including how habit formation and behavior design shaped his brand as a habit strategist and how a single short video can lead to serious opportunities.We also get practical about modern public speaking: virtual presentations, Zoom engagement, YouTube Shorts and LinkedIn content, newsletters, and why “perfect” is often the enemy of progress. If you’re a Toastmaster wrestling with confidence, pricing, or where to start, you’ll leave with a simple Monday-morning move: define the problem you solve, name who you solve it for, and start speaking on it before you feel ready.If this helped, subscribe, share the episode with a fellow speaker, and leave a review so more Toastmasters can find it.Follow & Like Us:  LinkedIn | X (Formerly Twitter) | Facebook | YouTube | EventBrite | MeetUp | PodcastNurture - Take a TLI Course | Sign-Up for Workshops Grow  - Meet Your Community through Our Newsletter Inspire - Use Your Voice via Pathways

What if your Toastmasters experience could be shaped around the things you’re most passionate about?In this episode, we explore the world of specialty Toastmasters clubs—clubs built around a shared focus, community, or purpose. From bilingual clubs to debate clubs and spaces designed to uplift specific communities, these clubs show that there’s more than one way to grow in Toastmasters.Join us as we hear from leaders of three unique clubs in District 36 who share what makes their clubs different and the impact they’re having on their members.✨ This is another thoughtful discussion designed to help you grow, inspire, and lead.  If you are interested in chartering a new specialty club or visiting one, please get in touch with [email protected].  She Speaks, She Leads:https://www.toastmasters.org/find-a-club/07038189-she-leads-she-speaksKCS Bilingual Toastmasters (English and Malayalam)https://www.toastmasters.org/Find-a-Club/07895684-kcs-bilingual-toastmasters-english-and-malayalamAdvanced Debate Clubhttps://www.toastmasters.org/Find-a-Club/28675444-advanced-debate-clubFollow & Like Us:  LinkedIn | X (Formerly Twitter) | Facebook | YouTube | EventBrite | MeetUp | PodcastNurture - Take a TLI Course | Sign-Up for Workshops Grow  - Meet Your Community through Our Newsletter Inspire - Use Your Voice via Pathways

Mentorship isn’t a title—it’s a relationship that changes how people learn, lead, and stay. We sit down with District 36 leaders Sandra Coles-Bell and Scott Meyer to draw a clear line between coaching and mentoring, then follow the ripple effects from a single pairing to a club that runs on trust, clarity, and momentum.  If you’ve ever wondered why some meetings feel smooth and energizing while others stumble, you’ll hear how intentional mentoring shapes agendas, roles, and evaluations so growth feels natural and guests feel welcome.  Sandra and Scott share vivid stories of mentors who spoke truth with love, the kind that softens sharp edges and builds confidence over the years.  They unpack the difference between one-on-one intimacy and group mentoring “encounters,” showing when each works best and how they often complement each other.  Along the way, you’ll learn practical habits any member can use:  set expectations early, pair evaluators thoughtfully, ask better questions than you give answers, and build feedback around what the speaker truly wants to improve.  We zoom out to the systems level—new club mentors, club coaches, and the Pathways mentoring modules—highlighting how a culture of guidance boosts retention and develops future leaders.  From first speeches to district roles, the mentoring mindset scales:  listen first, guide lightly, and help others solve problems their way.  Unsure where to start?  Talk to your vice president education about your club’s mentoring program, or connect with your program quality director or club growth director to support new or struggling clubs.  This conversation offers clear takeaways for Toastmasters and leaders everywhere:  mentorship accelerates learning, strengthens community, and sustains growth.  If you value better meetings, stronger speakers, and a dependable leadership pipeline, these insights will meet you where you are and move you forward.  Enjoy the episode, share it with a friend who mentors, and if it helped, subscribe and leave a quick review so others can find the show.  Follow & Like Us:  LinkedIn | X (Formerly Twitter) | Facebook | YouTube | EventBrite | MeetUp | PodcastNurture - Take a TLI Course | Sign-Up for Workshops Grow  - Meet Your Community through Our Newsletter Inspire - Use Your Voice via Pathways

What better way to celebrate the Grow Season than with a surprise drop? 🌱🎙️Surprise drop!  🚨 This month gets a special bonus episode–because we couldn’t wait to share it.Toasty Talks welcomes Toastmasters Latoya Skeine and Melissa Artavia Caravaca for a warm, high-energy welcome episode filled with culture, connection, and communication growth – 🇯🇲 “Wah gwaan?” 🇨🇷 “Pura vida!”In this conversation, we explore the synergy between Toastmasters development and professional impact – how practicing in the club translates into real-world confidence, credibility, and opportunities.  You’ll hear reflections on applying feedback, showing up stronger at work, and how one Toastmasters skill can open the door to something bigger–like being asked to moderate a panel.  Featuring Toasties currently working these Toastmasters Pathways paths: ✅ Presentation Mastery ✅ Persuasive Influence ✅ Effective CoachingPlus–a sneak peek at an upcoming co-host’s communication style, what’s changing in future episodes, and a thoughtful conversation about accents and communication.📣 Want to help shape what’s next?  We have one final episode that hasn’t been set yet–choose what YOUR podcast should broadcast:https://forms.gle/yAbbf9uiPuU9VriK7Follow & Like Us:  LinkedIn | X (Formerly Twitter) | Facebook | YouTube | EventBrite | MeetUp | PodcastNurture - Take a TLI Course | Sign-Up for Workshops Grow  - Meet Your Community through Our Newsletter Inspire - Use Your Voice via Pathways

District 220 (D220) is here — and we’re building the inaugural 2026–2027 leadership team.In this special episode, Ena Okah (Past District 36 Director) and Annette Sanks (Immediate Past District 27 Director) join host Esohe to talk about what the new District 220 (Districts 27 + 36) means for members and clubs—and why this is a rare moment to help shape a district from the ground up.We discuss:What District 220 is and what’s aheadWhat members can expect during the transitionWhy district leadership accelerates growth (confidence, communication, teamwork, systems thinking)How YOU can get involved and serve in District 220🚀 Now recruiting: District 220 leadership team (2026–2027 season) 📌 Deadline to apply / express interest: January 30 📝 Leadership interest form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScy-i2N2sD8Je7OqmMP5lTxX5QV_IFyeKG9vbP1irccI_MSjQ/viewform 🌐 Learn more: https://district36.org/dlc/If you’ve ever considered leading beyond your club—this is your moment. Share this episode with a Toastmaster who would thrive in district leadership!Follow & Like Us:  LinkedIn | X (Formerly Twitter) | Facebook | YouTube | EventBrite | MeetUp | PodcastNurture - Take a TLI Course | Sign-Up for Workshops Grow  - Meet Your Community through Our Newsletter Inspire - Use Your Voice via Pathways

We gathered your most common questions about Pathways and brought them directly to the expert.  In this conversation, Esohe Irabor, PhD, sits down with Justine Desmarais, District 36 Pathways Chair, to discuss what Pathways is, how it works, what it costs, and how it supports members’ personal and professional growth.  Whether you are new to Toastmasters or looking to understand your Pathways journey better, this discussion offers practical insights and guidance to help you make the most of the program.  Links to Recommended Resources:  TI Guide to 2025 Pathways Enhancements: https://content.toastmasters.org/image/upload/club-officer-guide-to-2025-pathways-enhancements.pdf  TI Better Speaker Series: https://www.toastmasters.org/resources/the-better-speaker-series-set TI Successful Club Series: https://www.toastmasters.org/resources/the-successful-club-series-setTI Leadership Excellence Series: https://www.toastmasters.org/resources/the-leadership-excellence-series-setTI Base Camp Guide: https://www.toastmasters.org/resources/base-camp-user-guideTI The Navigator: https://www.toastmasters.org/the-navigatorD36 Pathways Webpage: https://district36.org/pathways/ D36 Pathways Survey: https://forms.gle/NppD6PFXe4htr7pYA  Follow & Like Us: LinkedIn | X (Formerly Twitter) | Facebook | YouTube | EventBrite | MeetUp | PodcastNurture - Take a TLI Course | Sign-Up for WorkshopsGrow - Meet Your Community through Our NewsletterInspire - Use Your Voice via PathwaysFollow & Like Us:  LinkedIn | X (Formerly Twitter) | Facebook | YouTube | EventBrite | MeetUp | PodcastNurture - Take a TLI Course | Sign-Up for Workshops Grow  - Meet Your Community through Our Newsletter Inspire - Use Your Voice via Pathways

In this special 60-minute episode, Dr. Esohe Irabor sits down with four inspiring leaders from District 36 — our Public Relations Manager (PRM), Maria Pia Younger; Club Growth Director (CGD), Jill Vanderweit; Program Quality Director (PQD), Augusta Inniss; and District Director (DD), Arvind Venugopal.Together, they share candid insights about their roles, the RISE (or IRSE!) values that resonate most with them, and the friendly debate behind those acronyms. You’ll hear how this year’s theme — “Nurture. Grow. Inspire.” — was born, how speaking six languages shapes our District Director’s empathy and leadership, and how our PQD and CGD use their professional backgrounds to empower members through Pathways and club growth.You’ll also pick up practical management tips from our PRM and learn about key volunteer roles that make District 36 thrive — plus why you should join the team!Tune in for energy, authenticity, and inspiration from the leaders guiding District 36 forward.Beth Black's Article, "What Does Integrity Really Mean?": https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/magazine-issues/2020/sept/what-does-integrity-really-meanToastmasters International's Mission, Core Values, & Envisioned Future: https://www.toastmasters.org/about/our-missionContact Info For The Four District 36 Leaders In This Episode:The Trio (Arvind Venugopal, Augusta Innis, & Jill Vanderweit): [email protected] Venugopal, 2025-2026 District 36 Director: [email protected] Innis, 2025-2026 Program Quality Director: [email protected] Vanderweit, 2025-2026 Club Growth Director: [email protected] Pia Younger, 2025-2026 Public Relations Manager: [email protected] & Like Us:  LinkedIn | X (Formerly Twitter) | Facebook | YouTube | EventBrite | MeetUp | PodcastNurture - Take a TLI Course | Sign-Up for Workshops Grow  - Meet Your Community through Our Newsletter Inspire - Use Your Voice via Pathways

What do successful clubs, thriving companies, and high-performing teams have in common? They track what matters—and use scorecards to turn goals into action.In this episode, Dr. Esohe Irabor sits down with Professor Barry Piatt—former U.S. Senate Communications Director, strategist, past Distinguished District 36 Director, award-winning evaluator, and Public Speaking Professor at George Washington University.Together, they reveal how scorecards are a universal leadership system used by:CEOs & entrepreneursPolicymakers & government leadersEducators & performance coaches13,800+ Toastmasters clubs worldwideYou’ll discover how scorecards help leaders:Set measurable goalsAlign people and performanceTrack progress with dashboardsRecognize excellenceTurn structure into sustainable growthThey also explore how the Distinguished Club Program (DCP) mirrors business frameworks like KPIs and OKRs, proving why a 101-year-old organization still thrives: Structure becomes strength. Metrics drive momentum.See your own club’s scorecard: https://dashboards.toastmasters.org/Club.aspx?id=36Special Offer — Evaluation All Stars (FREE for District 36): Barry is the founder and director of the Evaluation All Stars, a team of expert evaluators who visit clubs to teach—and demonstrate LIVE—high-impact, supportive speech evaluations that help speakers grow.To request a visit: 📧 [email protected] you care about growth—personal or organizational—this episode will change how you use data, feedback, and systems to lead.🎧 Listen in. Take notes. Lead smarter.🎙️ Your host: Dr. Esohe Irabor🎨 Logo design: Dr. Esohe Irabor & Maria Pia Younger, D36 PRM🎶 Sound design & music: Maria Pia Younger, D36 PRMFollow & Like Us: LinkedIn | X (Formerly Twitter) | Facebook | YouTube | EventBrite | MeetUp | PodcastNurture - Take a TLI Course | Sign-Up for WorkshopsGrow - Meet Your Community through Our NewsletterInspire - Use Your Voice via PathwaysFollow & Like Us:  LinkedIn | X (Formerly Twitter) | Facebook | YouTube | EventBrite | MeetUp | PodcastNurture - Take a TLI Course | Sign-Up for Workshops Grow  - Meet Your Community through Our Newsletter Inspire - Use Your Voice via Pathways

Welcome to the very first episode of Toasty Talks! In this introduction, host Dr. Esohe Irabor and the 2025-2026 District 36 Public Relations Manager Maria Pia Younger pull back the curtain on our brand-new podcast.  You’ll hear why we created Toasty Talks, what you can expect in future episodes, and how this space will connect, encourage, and inform our District 36 community and beyond.      With 138* clubs and over 2,300 members, District 36 Toastmasters is a dynamic hub of learning, leadership, and communication — and this podcast brings those stories to life.  From our district theme Nurture. Grow. Inspire. to fun glimpses of what’s ahead, this episode sets the tone for the journey we’ll take together.  Stay with us to the end to catch our district leadership highlights, a preview of upcoming guests, and a warm invitation to be part of the conversation.  🎙️ Your host: Dr. Esohe Irabor🎨 Logo design: Dr. Esohe Irabor & Maria Pia Younger, D36 PRM🎶 Sound design & music: Maria Pia Younger, D36 PRMFollow & Like Us:  LinkedIn | X (Formerly Twitter) | Facebook | YouTube | EventBrite | MeetUp | PodcastNurture - Take a TLI Course | Sign-Up for Workshops Grow  - Meet Your Community through Our Newsletter Inspire - Use Your Voice via Pathways