The Megaphone

Podcast Host Chris Hulse sits down with past International Director Melissa McGavick as she prepares to be the Keynote Speaker at District 38’s 2026 Spring Conference. Chris and Melissa discuss her Toastmasters “why” and her enthusiasm for leadership – not only in coaching others, but in trusting the impact of leadership and how Toastmasters allows us to “grow through it” as it happens in the action leaning towards the best version of ourselves. Make sure you buy your tickets to meet Melissa McGavick as well as our other speakers at the conference by going to tmdistrict38.org.

Podcast Host Chris Hulse speaks with 2026 Spring Conference Co-Chairs Lisa Gerelli and Yesenia Lopez in the one of two episodes that will launch this week! Listen as Chris and the guests excitedly discussing the aspects of this year’s conference which will held at Live! Casino in Philadelphia – listen to learn what to expect and what surprises you may find! Get a peak behind the curtain about what led these two Toastmasters up to this point, what lessons they learned from last year, and their proudest moments. This episode will leave you feeling ready to buy your tickets (at tmdistrict38.org) and start counting to the days to the conference!

Podcast Host Chris Hulse speaks with Arthur C. Woods, Area A13 Director and from Red Rose Toastmasters – who has also recently written a new book – “SPARK for Emerging Leaders”. Listen as Arthur talks about what led him to write the book as he was looking for a way to channel personal and professional growth. We also explore each of the letters in SPARK and discover what ideas are uncovered as you’ll hear different ways concepts can be framed up in a way that works for you!

Podcast Host Chris Hulse chats with two guests as they muse the importance of learning ahead of the District 38 Virtual Fall Conference. First up is Chris Dennis, new Program Quality Director followed by Fursey Gotuaco, our Keynote speaker for the virtual conference. Get to know both of them as they talk about their different journeys in Toastmasters – including Fursey’s coaching philosophy amid two trips to the Toastmasters’ world stage and Chris Dennis on how she got here and where she sees us going.

Podcast Host Chris Hulse chats with our District 38 International Speech Contest Champion Leslie Crudup who recently advanced to the World Championship of Public Speaking Semifinals and delivered her winning speech to audiences from around the world. Listen to her fascinating journey and the important message she inspired all of us with... you will feel like you have been on the winning stage with Leslie after you listen to this episode! Chris also mentions details about the upcoming District 38 picnic, which you can sign up for by clicking on this link: https://tinyurl.com/D38picnic2025

SEASON 2 PREMIERE! Podcast Host Chris Hulse talks to our new Trio – District Director Michelle Westgate, Program Quality Director Anne Golden, and Club Growth Director Michelle Brown – as they embark on a new Toastmasters year moving District 38 “Fearlessly Forward”! Get to know the Trio a little better as Chris has a conversation with each of them about what’s going to be happening in the District over the next 12 months, mixed in with some interesting tidbits of each of their lives and hear how they were transformed by Toastmasters to get where they are this year!!

Club Growth Director Adeoti Araba talks to a newer voice in our District - Esohe Irabor, Ph.D. from Mercer's Best Toastmasters - who educates us on her rapid Toastmasters journey and offers many useful tips that can be put to good use. From revealing secrets behind making some movement through Pathways, identifying things that will give your speeches purpose, to finding a way to empowering your Toastmasters journey. Dr. Irabor reminds us that "we get out of it what we put into it" and gives advice that can help newer and veteran Toastmasters alike!

As we prepare for the District 38 Conference, our District Director Christopher Hulse has a conversation with the person who around the world has become known as The Golden Lady of Toastmasters. She was the International President for the Toastmasters Year 2018 to 2019, Distinguished Toastmaster Lark Doley. We talk about how she got started in Toastmasters, leadership lessons learned as she traveled the globe - lessons that everyone can apply no matter where they are on their journey, and how she made a home in a lighthouse! Listen and you will leave inspired and feel connected to this Golden Lady…

What does it take to be a leader—whether in your career, community, or personal life? In this episode of the Megaphone, Program Quality Director Michelle Westgate sits down with Davida Riggins, from Finer Toastmasters, also an Army veteran, business professional, and Club President. Davida believes that leadership is about service, resilience, and lifting others up, whether you hold a title or not.We talk about why she joined Toastmasters, the challenges and triumphs of starting a new club, and how she keeps members engaged and motivated. Plus, Davida shares insights from her involvement in Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, her professional journey, and what keeps her inspired.This episode is full of wisdom, practical leadership insights, and personal reflections—you won’t want to miss it!

Our Club Growth Director Adeoti Araba talks to one of our encouraging voices in our District – Kayleigh Tizzard from Jolly Road Toastmasters talks to Adeoti about her seven-year adventure in Toastmasters. Listen and find out from Kayleigh what the “secret sauce” of Toastmasters is, and how in her perspective, the club experience goes beyond meetings and out to “many parts of your life”. And see what Kayleigh means when she describes about being “called into greatness”…

Our Program Quality Director Michelle Westgate talks to another inspirational voice in our district – David Harris from NJDEP Toastmasters and his reason for being in Toastmasters – sometimes circumstances change but often the connection becomes something greater… find out what that was for David in this heartwarming episode.

Our District Director Chris Hulse talks to one of inspirational voices - Phuong Tran, a newer member from the Main Line Speaks club - talks about his Toastmasters journey. Hear about how Phuong once had trouble calling for pizza but has completely turned that around and the things he is doing in his life now!

District Director Christopher Hulse, Program Quality Director Michelle Westgate, and Club Growth Director Adeoti Araba discuss the adventures that being in the District 38 Trio are taking them on - from the International Convention in Anaheim, California to a 100 year Celebration picnic in Norristown, Pennsylvania to explaining the many locales where Round 2 of Club Officer Training can be taken...