The Toastmaster's Experience

Evelyn Calaunan
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Arts
  • Updated Weekly

"The Toastmaster's Experience," a podcast packed with valuable knowledge and motivation from real Toastmasters members. Each episode explores the transformative journeys of individuals who have used Toastmasters to overcome fears, enhance speaking abilities, and achieve personal growth. Discover actionable tips and techniques to improve your speaking and leadership skills.—PLEASE subscribe to "The Toastmaster's Experience" and start your journey toward becoming a more confident communicator and effective leader. "The Toastmaster’s Experience" - Get inspired by their insights.Please follow me on instagram   the_toastmasters_experiencehttps://www.instagram.com/the_toastmasters_experience/ New episodes are posted each Tuesday, always looking for current, past, newer, and long-term Toastmasters who would love to share their stories.🎙️Interviews can be recorded in my studio (only of course if you live near the Blue Mountains, NSW Australia 🇦🇺) , on Zoom or via my nifty portable H5 Zoom recorder. 😊🎧If interested in being interviewed please contact me 📧 evelyn@bluemountainscelebrant.com.au 🎙️

  1. 5d ago

    EP 72 - Monique Tonna: From Finding Her Voice to International Leadership

    In this episode of The Toastmasters Experience, Evelyn speaks with Monique Tonna, DTM, whose Toastmasters journey has taken her from a nervous young professional struggling to speak confidently to serving as International Director for Region 12. Monique joined Toastmasters in 2011 after discovering that, despite knowing what she wanted to say, communicating confidently and succinctly was a challenge. What began as a desire to improve her public speaking gradually opened the door to leadership, culminating in her serving on the Toastmasters International Board and helping make strategic decisions affecting members around the world. Monique also shares one of the most meaningful chapters of her Toastmasters journey — helping introduce a Toastmasters program within Corrective Services. What began as a Speechcraft program grew into an ongoing initiative, providing participants with opportunities to develop their communication, confidence and leadership skills. Monique shares a memorable story of one participant who initially seemed disengaged, but later returned, embraced the program and eventually became a club president and passionate advocate for Toastmasters. Throughout the conversation, Monique reflects on patience, confidence, lifelong learning and the welcoming Toastmasters community she has experienced throughout her journey. She also discusses the importance of adapting Toastmasters to different environments and the transferable skills it provides both personally and professionally. Her advice to anyone considering Toastmasters is refreshingly simple: just do it — walk through the door.

  2. Sep 20

    EP 71 - Casey Squires: From Toastmasters to Speaking Coach — with a Little David Bowie

    https://www.caseysquires.com/ casey@caseysquires.com On Instagram and Facebook @CaseySquiresCoaching In this episode of The Toastmasters Experience, Evelyn chats with former Toastmaster and speaking coach Casey Squires, whose journey has taken her from speaking in schools across Australia to studying acting in New York and ultimately building a business helping women find their voice on stage. Casey shares how her Toastmasters journey began in New York City, where she delivered her first Icebreaker, before later joining Dee Why RSL Toastmasters on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. She reflects on the confidence, structure and storytelling skills she developed through Toastmasters and how these continue to influence her work today. Now a speaking coach, Casey helps women in business create memorable signature talks that combine personal stories, clear messaging and audience connection. Drawing on her background in coaching psychology and acting, she explains the importance of vulnerability, stage presence and helping an audience not only understand a message, but feel it. Casey also discusses why even highly accomplished women can sometimes question whether they have something valuable to contribute and why confidence and stage presence are skills that can be developed. The conversation then turns to Casey’s colourful return to the Toastmasters world at the Dural Toastmasters Lifeboat Debate, where she transformed into David Bowie — complete with Ziggy Stardust costume — and won Best Dressed contestant. Casey finishes with an encouraging message for anyone considering Toastmasters: you don’t need to already be a public speaker. Sometimes simply stepping into the room, listening, learning and having a go can be the beginning of something much bigger.

  3. Sep 11

    EP 70 - SpeakEasy: From an Idea to a Global Speaking Community

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speakeasy-speaking-events-38663240a/ Join our events: https://events.humanitix.com/host/speakeasy (free online) Join our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SpeakEasySpeakingEvents In this follow-up episode of The Toastmasters Experience, Evelyn welcomes back longtime Toastmaster Allan Rees-Bevan to discover how his community speaking venture, SpeakEasy, has grown since his first appearance on the podcast. Launched in February, SpeakEasy is a monthly not-for-profit hybrid speaking event, bringing together speakers and audiences both in person in Sydney and online from around the world. Inspired by a similar speaking community Allan experienced in London 25 years ago, SpeakEasy gives people the freedom to share stories, experiences and ideas without the usual structure or criteria of a Toastmasters speech. Allan reflects on the remarkable growth of the event, with attendance climbing from around 30–40 people to an impressive 118 at a recent gathering. He discusses some of the challenges behind the scenes, from finding affordable venues and managing technology to creating the right balance between online and in-person speakers. The conversation also explores SpeakEasy’s thought-provoking monthly themes, including Celebrating Failure, Fear and Courage and Small Moments, as well as Allan’s commitment to mentoring speakers and creating opportunities for them to stretch beyond their comfort zones. With speakers already booked months in advance, Allan shares his hopes for expanding SpeakEasy’s international reach and reveals plans for special events, including a future SpeakEasy event featuring young speakers. It’s an inspiring conversation about community, connection, generosity and creating opportunities for people to simply find—and share—their voice.

  4. Sep 2

    EP 69 - Katie Yang: From Toastmasters to the Sydney Fringe

    Instagram -  katieyang_comedy.  To Book  https://sydneyfringe.com/events/a-very-chinese-time/ A Very Chinese Time | Sydney Fringe.  22 - 26 Sep | 1 hourVenue: Erskineville Town Hall - Emerging Artist Share House - The Spare RoomKatie Yang returns to The Toastmasters Experience for a lively catch-up, just over a year after her first appearance on the podcast. To listen to the previous episode, check out Episode 48 posted in July 2025. Katie originally joined Toastmasters in 2019 with an unusual motivation—to improve communication in her marriage. Along the way, however, she discovered something unexpected: a talent for making people laugh. Since her last interview, Katie’s comedy journey has gathered serious momentum. What began as an experiment inspired by a Toastmasters Pathways project has developed into a genuine passion, with Katie now performing stand-up two to five times a week at venues across Sydney and beyond. Katie shares how Toastmasters gave her two important foundations for comedy: plenty of stage time to overcome her nerves, and the opportunity to develop humorous material through the Just for Laughs Toastmasters Club. She also reflects on the realities of stand-up—the great audiences, the difficult nights, rejection, tiny crowds and the resilience required to simply keep showing up. A major milestone in Katie’s journey is her upcoming Sydney Fringe show, A Very Chinese Time, running from 22–26 September at Erskineville Town Hall. Drawing on cultural differences, family life, marriage, migration and her experiences as a Chinese-Australian woman, Katie brings her own distinctive perspective to the comedy stage. Looking ahead, Katie even dreams of taking her comedy into regional Australia, where she hopes humour can help bring different cultures together. Her advice for Toastmasters considering comedy is wonderfully simple: just start. Write one joke, work on it, refine it and keep going. Katie’s story is a wonderful reminder that sometimes an unexpected Toastmasters project can uncover a passion you never knew you had.

  5. Aug 29

    EP 68 - Daniel Mitchell – How Bob Marley Won the Lifeboat Debate

    To book the Parramatta Toastmasters Club 60th Anniversary - Gala Dinner Meeting 19th September 2026 https://parramattatm.corsizio.com/event/6a520cad6905bd52ffd7abd6   In this episode of The Toastmasters Experience, Evelyn sits down with Daniel Mitchell, a Toastmaster, educator and the 2026 winner of the Dural Toastmasters Lifeboat Debate, where he took to the stage as the legendary Bob Marley. Daniel shares how he joined Toastmasters almost three years ago after recognising that nervousness was affecting the professional development presentations he delivered to teachers. What began as a desire to become a more confident presenter quickly developed into much more. Daniel became Vice President Education only months after joining Parramatta Toastmasters, later served as Club President, and is now taking on his latest challenge as an Area Director. The conversation then turns to Daniel’s adventures in the Dural Lifeboat Debate. After previously competing as Elvis Presley and John Lennon, Daniel discovered that deceased musicians might just be his niche! On his third attempt, he transformed himself into Bob Marley — complete with costume, mannerisms and even a little guitar — and finally claimed victory. Daniel discusses the preparation behind his performance, handling unexpected audience questions and what the experience taught him about humour, persuasion and connecting with an audience. Daniel also shares an exciting milestone for his home club, Parramatta Toastmasters, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary on Saturday, 19 September at Rydges Parramatta in Rosehill. One of the longer-established Toastmasters clubs, Parramatta is marking six decades of helping people develop their communication, confidence and leadership skills. Those interested in attending the celebration can find registration details through the Parramatta Toastmasters website. Daniel also reflects on communication in an increasingly technology-driven world, using AI while maintaining an authentic voice, and the confidence, friendships and opportunities Toastmasters has brought into his life.

  6. Aug 21

    EP 67 - Jason Blyth: Reclaiming the Pen, Reclaiming His Voice

    Jason Blyth’s Toastmasters journey is about far more than becoming a better public speaker — it is about reclaiming his voice and using it to create change. A member of Elouera Toastmasters in Sydney for just over three years, Jason joined with a very deliberate goal: to develop the stagecraft, speechcraft and storytelling skills needed to take his message to a much wider audience. Remarkably, only around ten months into his journey, he became the 2024 District 90 International Speech Contest winner. Jason shares a deeply personal story of childhood trauma, systemic failure and later addiction, which ultimately led him to rehab at the age of 30. It was there that he realised no hero was coming to rescue him — he would have to become that person for himself. That philosophy now sits at the heart of his signature keynote, The Power of Choice, and his powerful metaphor of “reclaiming the pen”: recognising that while we cannot always control what happens to us, we can choose who authors the next chapter of our lives. Today, more than eight years sober, Jason is a professional speaker, coach and lived-experience advocate passionate about creating a safer world for children. His growing “Child First” mission challenges organisations and decision-makers to ask one fundamental question: Was the child put first? Toastmasters has provided Jason with the repetition, feedback and confidence to recognise his ability as a speaker, while storytelling has become one of his most important communication tools. For Jason, learning to communicate is ultimately about influence — connecting with people, sharing ideas and creating meaningful change. His advice to anyone considering Toastmasters is simple: do it. He believes the ability to speak well can open extraordinary doors. To contact Jason click on link https://jasonblyth.com/

  7. Aug 12

    EP 66 - Anu Vijayan: Winning District 90 & Taking Speechcraft to Vancouver

    In this episode of The Toastmasters Experience, Evelyn sits down with Anu Vijayan, a member of Parramatta Toastmasters for 11 years and the recent District 90 winner of both the Humorous and International Speech Contests. Anu shares how joining Toastmasters after moving to Australia helped her find her “flock,” build friendships and develop confidence in a new country. What began with a chance encounter with a Toastmasters poster at her local library eventually became an extraordinary journey in communication, leadership and competition. A passionate competitor, Anu explains why repeatedly refining the same contest speech can accelerate growth as a speaker. Her “secret sauce” is surprisingly simple: repetition — practising until the speech becomes second nature, while still remaining completely present with the audience. Although Anu finished first runner-up at the regional level of the International Speech Contest, another exciting opportunity awaited. She was selected to present on Speechcraft at the Toastmasters International Convention in Vancouver, drawing upon Parramatta Toastmasters’ extensive experience running Speechcraft programs. Anu also shares practical insights into managing nerves, preparing facial expressions, staying authentic when using AI, and communicating complex ideas clearly and succinctly. Beyond Toastmasters, she is exploring stand-up comedy and has launched Influence Science, helping scientists, researchers and technical experts transform complex information into engaging, memorable messages. Above all, Anu’s story demonstrates how Toastmasters can open doors, create friendships around the world and lead to opportunities you may never have imagined. Contact Anu via Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/anuvijayan/

  8. Jul 23

    EP 65 - 🏆 Vicki Sheehan Wins District Evaluation | Evaluation Tips Every Toastmaster Needs

    In May 2026, Vicki Sheehan, won the District 70 Evaluation Contest, she joins The Toastmasters Experience to share the journey behind her first district evaluation title after more than a decade in Toastmasters. A teacher by profession, Vicki explains how years of providing constructive feedback in the classroom naturally complement the Toastmasters evaluation process, while Toastmasters has also strengthened the way she encourages and develops her students. Throughout the conversation, Vicki offers a wealth of practical advice for members wanting to improve their evaluations. Rather than filling pages of notes, she focuses on identifying a speaker's strengths, two key recommendations, memorable examples, and, most importantly, how the speech made her feel. She discusses building a personal "stockpile" of commendations, recommendations and creative opening lines, allowing evaluations to sound fresh and engaging rather than formulaic. She also shares how she memorises concepts instead of scripts and why preparation, practice and self-belief all contribute to success in contest speaking. The interview also explores Vicki's involvement with other Toastmasters in a Corrective Services Club, where volunteers deliver Speechcraft programs to inmates at Macquarie Correctional Centre. She reflects on the profound impact that communication skills can have in helping participants rebuild confidence, improve relationships and prepare for life beyond prison. Finally, Vicki discusses the growing importance of face-to-face communication in an increasingly digital world. She encourages prospective members to join Toastmasters with a clear goal in mind and reminds listeners that public speaking is a lifelong skill—much like physical fitness—that only improves through continual practice. Her thoughtful insights make this an inspiring episode for anyone wanting to become a more effective communicator and evaluator.

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About

"The Toastmaster's Experience," a podcast packed with valuable knowledge and motivation from real Toastmasters members. Each episode explores the transformative journeys of individuals who have used Toastmasters to overcome fears, enhance speaking abilities, and achieve personal growth. Discover actionable tips and techniques to improve your speaking and leadership skills.—PLEASE subscribe to "The Toastmaster's Experience" and start your journey toward becoming a more confident communicator and effective leader. "The Toastmaster’s Experience" - Get inspired by their insights.Please follow me on instagram   the_toastmasters_experiencehttps://www.instagram.com/the_toastmasters_experience/ New episodes are posted each Tuesday, always looking for current, past, newer, and long-term Toastmasters who would love to share their stories.🎙️Interviews can be recorded in my studio (only of course if you live near the Blue Mountains, NSW Australia 🇦🇺) , on Zoom or via my nifty portable H5 Zoom recorder. 😊🎧If interested in being interviewed please contact me 📧 evelyn@bluemountainscelebrant.com.au 🎙️

Information

  • Creator
    Evelyn Calaunan
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    73
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Toastmaster's Experience
  • Show Website
    The Toastmaster's Experience

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