SHILLING SPEAKERS : Recent Episodes
Shilling Speakers Toastmasters Club
The official podcast from Shilling Speakers Toastmasters Club in District 91 of Toastmasters International in the UK
This month we celebrate the magic of the Irish at the SHILLING SPEAKERS Toastmasters Club! In this episode, we bring you an evening filled with Irish charm,captivating tales, and inspiring speeches. They say magic happens when the Irish gather, and we're ready to experience it. Get ready for an unforgettable experience featuring:
· Mary Kate O Flanagan, a grand slam storytelling champion and TikTok sensation, whose speech will tug at your heartstrings and bring tears to your eyes. · Paul Greenway, our poet of the day, sharing his evocative verses that capture the essence of Ireland. · Sean Lyons, a consummate storyteller and public speaker, whose myths and legends transport us into the rich history of Ireland and showcase why the Irish arerenowned storytellers. · Dr. Siobhan Fitzgerald, an amazing TEDx speaker, podcaster, and 72-district champion speaker, taking us back to the 1990s with her transformative speech. · Yasmin Hassan, star of the Sur Optimus annual public speaking competition, with her inspiring insights on leadership. Podcast host Violeta Saladiene interviewed a special guest who is non other that Anthony Garvey, an Irishman, a Toastmaster, a writer and a award winning presenter who will reveal some interesting stories behind thescenes of Irish themed meeting. Dive into the richness of Irish culture with poetry readings and speeches. Tune in, immerse yourself in the charm of theEmerald Isle, and enjoy an episode brimming with Irish enchantment!
This month's episode is incredibly inspiring and joyful as we mark the 4th birthday anniversary of the Shilling Speakers Club! Our host, Violeta Saladiene, kicksthings off with words that will set your spirit soaring, followed by Angela Cook’s uplifting toast that perfectly captures the essence of our celebration. Paul Greenway adds a touch of Irish charm with his intriguing insights, while Audrey Lowe balances the conversation with her fabulous rant.This episode also features an exclusive interview with Antonia Harrison, the founder of ShillingSpeakers Club, who shares fascinating stories and insights about the club’s journey and growth. And don’t miss ourSoap Box segment this month, brimming with inspiration from the always-enlightening Paul Greenway.
Tune in, enjoy, and celebrate with us as we toast to four amazing years of Shilling Speakers Club! 🎙️✨
This episode features a significant milestone of the podcast 2nd anniversary. Join us for a special episode that breaks away from our usual format, offering a unique glimpse into the journey that brought us here. In this milestone celebration, host Violeta Saladiene kicks things off with an energizing intro, setting the stage for an unforgettable exchange. Listen in as Paul Greenway engages in a captivating conversation with Philippa Gray, Angela Cook delves into the insights of Pat Caslin, and Audrey Lowe uncovers the wisdom of none other than our esteemed founder, Paul O’Mahony. It's a reunion of voices, a tapestry of memories, and a celebration of the journey that has brought us to this remarkable moment.
This month's episode promises to ignite your curiosity! Starting with roses crafted by Angela Cook and Audry Lowe, infused with unique perspectives. Then, Paul Greenway is set to sweep you off your feet with his rant: exploring a recent decision by TM International, that sends shockwaves through the communication world, as they decided to discontinue online and hybrid contests from 2024-2025 cycle.
In the second part of our podcast extravaganza, join Angela Cook as she interviews our esteemed guest, Anne Doucette. Together, they unravel the intricate tapestry of Cultural Diversity within TM Clubs.
Dive in our Soap Box, where we showcase the unparalleled talent of none other than the UK Champion of 2023, Anthony Garvey with his award-winning speech "Come to the Edge".
This month, we've rolled out a special episode that's all about celebrating Ukraine! We recently had a Toastmasters meeting with a theme "111 Reasons to Love Ukraine"! The energy was electric, and the feedback? Absolutely stellar! Now, brace yourselves for some extracts from the evening’s impromptu speeches delivered by Antonia Harisson, Violeta Saladiene, and Anthony Garvey. Trust us, their words will transport you to the heart of Ukraine's beauty and charm! In this podcast episode we've got not one, but two amazing Ukrainian guests, Zoya Gulko and Tamara Evans, joining us for an exclusive interview. Get ready to hear their captivating stories and experiences as English teachers, sprinkled with nostalgic memories of their beloved Ukraine. And to top it all off, we've got a special treat: a speech by our Ukranian guest, Polina Karabach. Get ready to be moved and inspired by her words.
This month Audry Lowe speaks about world of youth communication trends, Angela Cook raises concerns aboutthe obesity surge, while Violeta shares her jaw-dropping encounter with the Police!
Hold onto your seats as Paul Greenway interviews the phenomenal D91 Director, Diane Richardson, shedding light on Leadership and Tik Tok!
Don't miss out on Violeta Saladiene's Soap Box! 📣 Discover the transformative impact of the Rotary and Toastmasters partnership on speaking, learning, and membership prospects.
This episode is a rollercoaster of insights – buckle up for an unforgettable ride....
This month Angela Cook enlightens us on toxic products we eat daily. Paul Greenway shares his thoughts about Scandinavia. Our special guest is Vijay Patel, a new member of our club. Vijay and Paul gets into discussion about MMA and UFC fighting. In our Soap Box this month is Vijay Patel sharing a very personal experience of 12 days of Christmas.
This month Audry Lowe takes up a new hobby - she learns how to transmit messages over the radio. Paul Greenway’s rant is a toast to both amateur speakers and actors. VioletaSaladiene interviews a special guest - DJ Justin, a keynote speaker, International Speech Contest Semifinalist, a filmmaker, and an actor. DJ Justin shares his thoughts about his Toastmaster’s journey, hot air balloon and what a failure means. In our Soap Box this month is Anthony Garvey, our club president, who shares a story about modern texting.
This month we have started a new part in our podcast named Onions and Roses. Curious what is it? Listen and find out. Violeta interviewed a special guest - International Motivational Speaker Frank Furness and Audrey Lowe in the Soap Box speaking about Bamboo Houses.
This month we have a new Podcast team: Angela Cook, Audry Lowe, Paul Greenway and Violeta Saladiene. Angela shares how to deal with stress, Audry describes silent generation, Violeta shares tips for storytelling strategies and Paul rants about motoring infringements in Ireland. Our special guest this month is Gerard Dunn sharing his thoughts about teaching in Zambia, Single Malt Whiskey and Competition time. In our Soap box Paul Greenway talks about disruption in Toastmasters.
Violeta talks about the Anniversary of the Coronation of King Mindaugas that is a big deal in Lithuania; Philippa shares her thoughts on the UK history; our special guest James Finnegan, a TEDxTralee Curator and Coach shares his walking challenge of 1000 days; Violeta's humorous story.
Philippa’s wise thoughts on how to help people; Violeta’s challenges on giving a speech when receiving an award; Andrea Righi, incoming Division A Director in D91, is our special guest - a big football fan and a guitar aficionado. Philippa’s Soap Box on Bureaucracy.
This week Violeta reflects on TM Pathway; Philippa shares her thoughts on Leadership; our special guest this week is Gerard Manix, DTM, past D71 District Director reveals his biggest challenges in Toastmasters and what outlets he enjoys ; Violeta is on the soap box talking about Personal Branding and why it is important.
Philippa shares her journey to being elected a Councilor, Paul talks about upcoming conference problems, Violeta reveals her thoughts on AI. Our special guest is Sam Warner, DMT and TEDx speaker, who shares her experience on Youth Leadership Programme and TEDx.
Violeta is trying to get back the balance in life, Philippa enjoys living in the suburbs, Paul debates about storytelling. Our special guest this week is Phillip Khan-Panni, a Toastmaster, who won the District 71 title a record four times and the Silver Medal in the World Championship of Public Speaking.
Paul, Phillipa and Violeta debate on Politics of Water in different countries.
Our special guest is Ciaran Blair, a DTM and Humorous speech contest District winner. His winning speech on YouTube has had 83000 viewings in 80 countries. Just search for Ciaran Blair on YouTube, after you have listened to teh podcast, of course.
Violeta and Philippa celebrate our first year of podcasts with Paul O'Mahony, one of the launch team, Anthony Garvey, President of Shilling Speakers on the soapbox and our very special guest Ted Corcoran, author and former International President of Toastmasters International.
Ted's three published books are "The Leadership Bus" (2008), "Hiring a Car and Walking After It" (2019) and " A Comprehensive History of Toastmasters in Great Britain and Ireland" (2022).
You can find Ted's speech "How to Write a Speech in 10 Minutes on You Tube.
Don't take your speaking voice for granted. Listen to learn how to keep it is good condition. Plus what it can feel like to take part in Table Topics during a Toastmaster's meeting and a real-life story from Violeta.
Pat and Philippa discuss the value of mistakes and Pat takes a lighthearted view on the concept of infinity for non-mathematicians.
In Part 2, they follow up on Anthony Garvey's contest speech "Come to the Edge" and link it into Carol Bausor's ideas on limiting beliefs.
In Part 3, Philippa is on the soapbox discussing the knotty problem of water supply in the UK.
Pat and Philippa discuss the value of poetry and then their favourite poems and Pat recites Yeats's The Stolen Child and then analyses it.
Poems mentioned
Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven, by W. B. Yeats
Apple Blossom by Louis Mac Neice
The Planter's Daughter, by Austin Clarke
Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening, by Robert Frost
Romance, by W.J. Turner
What Lips my Lips Have Kissed, by Edna St. Vincent Millay
First Fig, by Edna St. Vincent Millay
To Sleep by John Keats
I Bargained with Life for a Penny, by Jessie B. Rittenhouse
The Stolen Child, by W.B. Yeats
Violeta shares some of the good material to be found in Toaster magazine. Pat talks about his delayed evaluation project in his Masters of Evaluation Club and what he wants to achieve from it. Eric shares some thoughts about getting into business as a presenter and facilitator. Pat explains why he believes asking better questions enriches your life.
This week's big ideas are about spring. Pat and Philippa talk about education and Violeta is on the soapbox on the three most important elements of a speech.
Philippa muses about teaching, Violeta wonders how to become a TEDx speaker, and Pat reflects on the impact of how we think. Philippa interviews Raouda Sakour and Pat is on the soapbox comparing school-goers' experience of participating in self-directed learning by creating projects for a science fair and their experience of being in school.
The Shilling podcasters have varying degrees of expertise when it comes to small talk, Pat believes there is more to education that having a degree, and we are all in favour of a good-night's speech. Listen to the podcast to find out who our very special guest is.
Pat recommends committing your ideas to paper so others can scrutinize them, Philippa is affected by the cold weather, and part 2 of Violeta's interview with Richard Jennings
Listen to our Big Thoughts for the week, hear part 1 of Violeta's interview with Richard Jennings, an experienced Toastmaster based in San Diego, who has some fascinating stories to relate and let Pat tell you how to get the best from Pathways.
Wise Words and Amazing Stories from the team and our special guest Cyril Mannion.
To find out more about Cyril visit Captain Cyril – Adventures in Aviation
Follow this link to get in touch with Shilling Speakers : Toastmasters - Toastmasters - Shilling Speakers :: Home (toastmasterclub.org)
Introducing our new podcaster Violeta who gives us advice on how to make the most of our creativity
Paul explains how to be elected to an international role within Toastmasters, Philippa mulls over the gentle art of making commitments and we have a surprise interviewee
Paul on being distinguished with only four members; Philippa rediscovers her get up and go; Pat reflects on seeing the light and feeling the heat. Alex Spencer-Hill, Shilling's Area Director is our guest. Paul is on the soapbox talking about being a Toastmasters data nerd. The tools he refers to are from George Marshall https://www.marshalls.org/tmtools/#distcomp and Mike Raffety https://mikeraffety.com/
This week's big ideas from Philippa are about going to the city, obsessive rumination and her do-lists; Pat talks about the five questions to ask yourself when making a big decision. Paul interviews Rodger Cook DTM and Pat is on the soapbox talking about education.
Philippa is short on big ideas but comes to a big realisation! Paul talks about speechcraft and Pat adds a plan to develop and evaluation-craft equivalent. Philippa introduces Violeta and Paul is on the soapbox (admitting that the speech contest rule book is a great night time read).
Pat and Philippa talk about their second lives. Pat uncovers the difference between the social skills of actuaries and accountants in his interview with Christopher Paine and Pat is on the soapbox about his plan to take one of his clubs to mastery in evaluation.
Philippa has a holiday and then takes to the soapbox about the passing of the Queen, Paul votes for another district to stay online and interviews Matty Behan, and Pat promises to speak more about his quote from Carl Sagan a few weeks ago.
The big thoughts this week are about obstacles and challenges and overcoming them. Philippa interviews charter member, Leslie Seymour, and Paul is on the soapbox extolling the value of asking busy people if you want to get things done.
Paul's big idea about club speech contests. Philippa goes to a big ideas extravaganza and Paul is on the soapbox about the need for speeches on socially important themes in the speech contest finals.
Big Ideas: Robert's Rules; Functioning in 40 degree heat; getting organised
Guest: Lucinda Harmon discusses her recently-published book
Philippa on the soapbox replying to Pat's comments last week on taking offence
In part 1 of this episode, Philippa talks about a better way to understand feeling emptiness; Pat talks about Don Miguel Ruiz's book, The Four Agreements and Paul muses on managing a Toastmaster district across a large number of European countries. In part 2, Paul interviews Shilling Toastmasters Founder, Antonia Harrison. And, in part 3, Pat gets on his soapbox to talk about taking offence.
You hear Philippa Gray talking about how disturbing it has been to read biographies. You hear Paul O'Mahony advocate that immediate past presidents should be trained - Pat Caslin & Philippa are not sure they need to be trained. Pat's big idea this week is all about his new roles: VP Education in "Masters of Evaluation" & VP Membership in "Shilling Speakers". You hear Margaret Bishton, the immediate past Sergeant-at-Arms of Shilling Toastmasters being interviewed by Philippa. It's Philippa's turn to get on the Soapbox - she feels strongly about dreaming (and Freud).
Big ideas this week are: Paul celebrates Blarney Toastmsters achieving President's dDistingished with ten goals. Philippa talks about not letting the perfect being the enenmy of the good, and Pat quotes St. Augustine about wondering about ourselves.
The interview this week is with Anthony Garvey, DTM, talking to Paul O'Mahony.
Pat is on the soapbox talking about disagreement.
You hear Philippa Gray & Paul O'Mahony chat about the novel "Things Fall Apart" by the Nigerian author Chinua Achebe. Philippa tells the story of why she got up at 2am to go on a canal cruise. Paul's back from a family holiday in Lagos Portugal, where he got COVID - and played golf with his wife. Philippa interviews him. On the 'soapbox' this week is Paul, sounding off about the Toastmasters District Mission "to build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence."
Pat talks about writing purposefully and starting and finishing written communications.
Philippa is in a pulpit today talking about Gilbert White.
The big ideas are on keeping a diary and on being unreasonable.
Pat gets to know Jorge Trevino, today's guest.
(Paul O'Mahony is on holidays)
Philippa talks about the Queen, Pat quotes Tennyson and recites his favourite lullaby, Pat interviews Philippa and discovers some surprising things and Pat is on the soapbox again on the subject of curiosity
It's all about Questions. Philippa Interviews Giannis Kanlis and Pat takes the soapbox on the importance of questions wondering why people don't ask them and giving his four tips about questions.
Philippa on being yourself, Pat on the importance of engaging listeners and Marv on flipping the classroom. Special guest Marv Serhan discusses the importance of character with Pat. Philippa is on the soapbox discussing the effect of inappropriate speech on others.
You hear chat about RUNNING MEETINGS - Robert’s Rules - District Conferences - Collaboration between clubs - Philippa Gray’s original thought - Paul O’Mahony’s biggest mistake at Toastmasters - Pat Caslin’s soapbox
The big ideas are followed by an interview with Club President Carol Bausor- in which she talks freely about what she thinks of Shilling Speakers. On her soapbox is Philippa Gray.
You first hear a 10 minute chat about the big ideas & experiences Philippa Gray, Pat Caslin & Paul O’Mahony have had during the week. Quickly followed by an interview with Distinguished Toastmaster Pat Caslin - mainly about how he’s learned to speak fluently. The third part is 8 minutes about some of the goings-on on WHOVA in the run up to the District 91 Conference which starts on Thursday 5th May - with the “Candidates Showcase”
Philippa Gray - Paul O’Mahony - Pat Caslin offer you chat about (1) how to become a good debater (2) manual labour (3) “The Speaker’s Journal” (4) Shilling Speakers Club Committee (5) Why the majority of corporate presentations are poor.
Pat Caslin, Philippa Gray & Paul O'Mahony present an episode in which you hear conversation about mentoring Toastmasters corporate clubs, not liking the sound of your own voice, talking to yourself, poetry, dog-walking & dog-walkers, persuading candidates to stand in local elections - and persuading members to volunteer to join their Toastmasters Club committee.
Philippa Gray & Pat Caslin first discuss MENTORING & COACHING - and Pat adds experience (from business) of the role of SPONSOR. They move on to discuss the importance of STORYTELLING - and the suggestion that Toastmasters International should offer a new educational path. Philippa anticipates her intention to make a long speech (18-22 minutes). Recorded on 9th March 2022