The Toastmaster's Experience

• EP 49 - Top 28 Finalist: Remona’s Remarkable First Year in Toastmasters

  In this inspiring episode of The Toastmasters Experience, Evelyn welcomes back Remona Moodley—one of Toastmasters’ Top 28 semi-finalists in the 2025 World Championship of Public Speaking. Even more remarkable: it’s Remona’s first year in Toastmasters.Remona shares her thrilling and somewhat nerve-wracking journey of finding out she was selected. From obsessively refreshing the website to seeing her name on the list in the early hours of the morning, she describes a quiet moment of personal triumph. What followed was a flurry of congratulations, club celebrations—and the pressure to write a brand-new speech within a month.With a background in pageants and performance, Remona has been preparing her whole life for this moment, even if not formally within Toastmasters. To support her, she’s assembled an all-star team. She describes how each one brings a unique perspective, contributing to her growth with precision and care.Remona also speaks openly about the flood of feedback, balancing conflicting advice, and trusting her own instincts to remain authentic. She offers heartfelt advice to aspiring competitors: you don’t need to be ready to start—just start. The journey itself will transform you.As Remona prepares to take the international stage in Philadelphia, she shares her excitement, her lucky charm, and her family’s joy—including her two young children who are just as thrilled for the American adventure.We’ll all be cheering you on, Remona!

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• EP 48 - Katie YZ Joined Toastmasters and Found Comedy!

  In this lively episode of The Toastmasters Experience, I interview Sydney-based Toastmaster and stand-up comedian Katie YZ. Katie shares her unique motivation for joining Toastmasters back in 2019—not to win contests, but to save her marriage. Frustrated by poor communication with her husband, Katie found that Toastmasters offered a far more cost-effective solution than marriage counselling—and it worked. She learned the art of constructive feedback, transforming not only her marriage but also her confidence and communication style.Katie quickly embraced the stage, joining Reevesby Toastmasters before discovering her comedic side at Just for Laughs, a humor-focused club where she honed her funny bone. Inspired by a mentor’s nudge, she entered a humorous speech contest and discovered her talent for comedy. She’s since performed over 60 stand-up sets across Sydney and beyond while juggling a full-time university coordinator role and family life.Katie also founded a junior Gavel Club to support young speakers—including her daughter, who went on to international recognition. She reflects on leadership growth through her Area Director role and the deep friendships formed through Toastmasters. She encourages everyone to give Toastmasters a try, even for a short time, because “it changes everything.”This episode is packed with laughter, life lessons, and a reminder that communication isn’t just about talking—it’s about listening, taking risks, and connecting. Find Katie on Facebook @KatieYZ if you’d like her to MC your wedding, roast your birthday party, or entertain any event.

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• EP 47 - Zoom, Speeches & 143 Countries: Richard Peck’s Presidential Reign

  In this insightful episode of The Toastmasters Experience, I welcome Richard Peck, former International President of Toastmasters, who shares his extraordinary journey from reluctant speaker to global leader. Richard’s Toastmasters story began in 2006 after an encounter with legendary speaker Les Brown, who encouraged him to join. Within six months, Richard unexpectedly became Club President—after stepping out during officer elections!🎙️His leadership ascent continued rapidly, holding various district roles before being elected to the International Board. In a unique twist of history, Richard stepped into the role of International President during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than viewing it as a setback, he embraced it as an opportunity. His landmark initiative, the “International President’s World Tour,” saw him visit 149 clubs across 143 countries—all virtually. Not content to merely observe, Richard took on roles in each meeting, receiving global feedback on his speeches and deepening his understanding of communication across cultures.⭐️He reflects on the difference between speaking and truly communicating, emphasizing that Toastmasters helps bridge this gap. Richard also discusses the evolving nature of communication in the AI age and underscores the importance of cultural awareness and mentorship within clubs.🎧A race car driver in his spare time, Richard draws parallels between high-speed racing and effective leadership—both require a strong, trusted team. He closes with heartfelt advice: explore multiple clubs, get involved, and always remember—you’ll never be the same person you were when you first joined Toastmasters.🎙️ #thetoastmastersexperience #selfdevelopmentpodcast#getinspired #toastmasters #podcast #getinspiredbytheirinsights#spotifypodcast #applepodcast 

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• EP 46 - From Brooklyn to the Big Stage with Marc Williams

  cIn this inspiring episode of The Toastmasters Experience, Marc Williams—educator, speaker, and three-time Toastmasters International Speech Contest finalist—shares his 14-year journey with Toastmasters, starting with a simple DVD recommendation that sparked a life-changing pursuit. From his first hesitant visit to LIU Brooklyn Toastmasters to standing on the world stage multiple times, Marc’s path is one of purpose, passion, and personal growth.Marc reveals that his entry into Toastmasters wasn’t just about public speaking—it was about discovering a supportive community that became like family. While professional development was an unexpected bonus, the deepest impact came from relationships formed along the way. He highlights the importance of competing, describing it as a fast track to growth. Despite not working with one formal coach, Marc credits a circle of mentors—fellow Toastmasters and seasoned champions—who helped him shape and refine his voice.Beyond Toastmasters, Marc discusses founding Speaker Skills Academy, a virtual community co-led with friend and fellow coach Cathey, where members develop micro-skills through engaging, gym-like sessions. His message to listeners: Toastmasters is more than a place to reduce filler words or perfect delivery—it’s a space to find your voice, your people, and potentially, your calling.Whether you’re new to public speaking or a seasoned pro, this episode is a reminder of the life-changing power of showing up, saying “hello,” and daring to share your story.

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• EP - 45 - Mark Walker’s Legacy as District 90 Toastmasters Director

  Mark, a seasoned Toastmaster of 20 years, joined in 2005 to sharpen his presentation skills for his medical career. A psychiatrist by profession, Mark has since embraced both the communication and leadership aspects of Toastmasters. He is a dedicated member of multiple clubs, including Glenbrook, Enhanced, Penrith CBD, and the online Koala Communicators Club.Mark has held significant leadership roles over the years, including Area Director, Western Division Governor, and twice District Director for District 90. One of his proudest achievements was leading the district to Distinguished status—an accolade awarded at the international conference in Anaheim in 2024. His Toastmasters experience has empowered him to confidently chair hospital board meetings, emcee large conferences, and support the growth of clubs across regions.Passionate about mentoring, Mark actively encourages young professionals, including junior doctors, to improve their public speaking through speechcraft programs. He believes Toastmasters offers critical life skills, especially amid today’s challenges with digital communication and mental health pressures.Mark’s personal growth includes developing confidence, embracing inspirational speaking, and gaining flexibility under pressure (a skill he displayed as emcee at the recent District 90 Conference). Though stepping back from high-level leadership roles, Mark continues to support clubs and serve as a valuable resource.His final advice for anyone considering joining? “Just walk through the door. It’s a safe place to grow, try things, and discover how far you can go.” A powerful reminder of Toastmasters’ life-changing potential.

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